Stock Pick

  • Are Star shares now rolling the dice on a rescue bid?

    Young man sitting at a table in front of a row of pokie machines staring intently at a laptop. looking at the Crown Resorts share price

    Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR) shares are in a trading halt this morning as speculation gathers around potential bidders.

    If true, the board might need to channel their inner Kenny Rogers: “Know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away and know when to run”. Both the former CEO and chair already decided to run, but will the struggling casino operator finally fold to an opportunistic offer?

    With the Star Entertainment share price locked at 45 cents apiece today, we might have an answer sooner rather than later.

    ‘Hard Rock’ or a hard place?

    The proposition of taking control of Star at all-time lows appears to have prompted some action over the weekend. With its back up against the wall, the embattled Australian casino operator might have a way out of the web of worries it has walked into.

    Star confirmed the rumours this morning. As stated in its release, the company has received interest from “a number of external parties regarding potential transactions”. Although none are yet at a stage of ‘substantive discussions’.

    The release refrained from naming any names. However, word on the grapevine is that a fellow casino and hotel company on the other side of the world is one of those interested in taking over this troubled $1.3 billion ASX-listed business.

    The Australian Financial Review reported that Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos is the suspected company inspecting Star shares for potential.

    While not confirmed, it’s believed the United States-based company wants to revitalise Star with a rebranding, converting it into more of an entertainment precinct than a casino pure-play. This comes after people from Hard Rock met with Star stakeholders about a month ago.

    Agreeing to a takeover when your share price is at its lowest ever would be a tough pill for shareholders to swallow. But it might be the backstop investors need to prevent further value destruction. As my colleague Sebastian Bowen penned earlier this month, Star losing its license could devastate the company.

    Hope for higher Star shares

    There’s always a silver lining. In this situation, the positive is multiple parties are taking a look.

    As we’ve seen before, a bidding war can ensue when two or more bidders want an asset bad enough. If the ASX-listed casino operator is fortunate, this might be how the Star share price puts some distance between itself and the recently set all-time low of 38 cents a pop.

    For now, shareholders will need to sit tight for further details to be revealed.

    The post Are Star shares now rolling the dice on a rescue bid? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in The Star Entertainment Group Limited right now?

    Before you buy The Star Entertainment 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 The Star Entertainment 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 Mitchell Lawler 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.

  • BHP shares charging higher as the clock ticks down on the Anglo American takeover

    A man closesly watch a clock, indicating a delay or timing issue on an ASX share price movement

    BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are charging higher today.

    Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining giant closed up 0.8% on Friday trading for $44.89. In morning trade on Monday, shares are swapping hands for $45.87 apiece, up 2.2%.

    For some context, the ASX 200 is 0.5% at this same time.

    This comes amid another uptick in copper and iron ore prices, and as the clock ticks down on BHP’s takeover bid for Anglo American (LSE: AAL). The alarm is set for 5pm United Kingdom time this Wednesday (early Thursday morning Aussie time).

    You see, to move past 22 May, UK regulations stipulate the ASX 200 miner must be involved in two-way negotiations with Anglo, in which case they can ask for more time to strike an agreement. Alternatively, BHP could also come out with an unconditional offer free of any conditions.

    So, should investors expect BHP shares will encompass Anglo American?

    We’ll look at what the experts are saying below.

    First, a quick recap.

    ASX 200 miner eyeing expanded copper footprint

    On 26 April, BHP shareholders learned the miner had made a conditional offer to acquire Anglo American for approximately $60 billion.

    BHP is primarily interested in Anglo American’s copper assets. The red metal is forecast to remain undersupplied for years despite strong demand growth due to the global electrification push. A successful takeover would see BHP become the world’s top copper producer.

    However, Anglo American’s board swiftly rejected the initial offer as undervaluing the company’s growth prospects.

    BHP shares made headlines again on 14 May, when the miner returned with an improved takeover bid valued at some $64 billion.

    This too was rejected by the Anglo American board.

    In the days that followed, investors learned that Anglo American’s CEO Duncan Wanblad is now planning to divest its platinum and diamond businesses and sell its Queensland-based coal mines, potentially to ward off BHP’s takeover attempt.

    BHP has also flagged its intentions to likely sell off some of Anglo’s assets, like its platinum and iron ore projects in South Africa.

    So, with the clock ticking on a momentous acquisition, what can ASX 200 investors expect?

    What’s ahead for BHP shares and Anglo American?

    Commenting on the prospect of BHP shares enveloping Anglo American’s assets, Josh Gilbert, market analyst at eToro said, “We might see a third and final offer from the world’s largest miner.”

    But that’s likely to be the final deal.

    “BHP CEO Mike Henry has already expressed his frustration at a deal not being met, so the next offer is likely to be the last,” Gilbert said.

    He noted that despite a difficult past few years “with poor acquisitions, weaker commodity prices, and operating failures”, Anglo American “has quality copper mines that the competition wants”.

    And it’s relatively cheap compared to many of its peers.

    According to Gilbert:

    The business trades at 11 times forward price to earnings, in line with its long-term average and lower than broader markets, showing there isn’t much optimism priced into shares right now. 

    The bottom line is that this acquisition still may not come to fruition. BHP needs to come to the table with a better offer. However, savvy investors will know that if copper prices keep rising, China’s housing crisis improves, and BHP can stay financially disciplined, the business will likely be in a better position years from now. 

    Liberum Capital says there are three ways that BHP shares will acquire Anglo American. All of which come with a cost.

    According to Liberum (quoted by The Australian Financial Review):

    We see three ways to get it over the line 1) a big premium – market talking up at least £30/share, but requires another 35 per cent bump in the offer 2) a radical change in structure – perhaps a BHP/Glencore joint bid for all assets 3) more time – if Duncan [Wanblad] doesn’t deliver on his plans, BHP’s offer will likely stay on the table.

    Liberum added that regardless of the short-term outcome, Anglo American shares and BHP shares are now closely linked:

    Anglo American shares will be tied to BHP’s performance going forward and if … Wanblad fails to deliver material progress on the proposed restructuring plans over the next 18 months, or if Anglo American shares do not outperform BHP, then shareholders will be looking for BHP to come back with an offer.

    BHP shares are up 2% over the past year.

    The post BHP shares charging higher as the clock ticks down on the Anglo American takeover 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 Bernd Struben 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.

  • A software engineering job got over 3,000 applications. Here’s how a recruiter screened out 98% of them before a phone call.

    A recruiter looking at candidates
    Big Tech seems to be making it harder for smaller companies to hire AI talent.

    iStock

    • A software engineering role in the US drew 3,367 applicants.
    • Recruiter Lusely Martinez used an application tracking system and manual checks to cut candidates.
    • Those who made the cut were honest and understood the position's needs, Martinez said.

    It took Lusely Martinez and her team 50 days to fill a software engineering role for a global tech company.

    The role attracted 3,360 applicants and seven referrals, she wrote in a LinkedIn post. It meant that Martinez had a big job on her hands to filter the best candidate.

    "This role was for a level three software engineer, with full-stack expertise and knowledge of specific programming languages," Martinez told Business Insider. "While we encourage those of different backgrounds that do not fit all the criteria to apply, there are specific non-negotiable factors."

    Martinez spoke to BI about the behind-the-scenes of tech recruiting and how she narrowed down her list at every stage of the application process.

    Non-negotiables

    The first few cuts were relatively easy. Martinez used an applicant tracking software to screen out candidates who didn't meet the job's basic requirements.

    To start, 1,662 applicants weren't located in any of the listed hiring locations. A further 739 applicants required visa support.

    Next, she cut 763 candidates because they did not meet the basic skills and experience needed for the role.

    What she looks for in profiles

    The next step took longer. Martinez manually reviewed one-third of the applications — she spent one to two hours every week looking through résumés as they came in.

    "First, I look to ensure they have been truthful regarding their eligibility for the role through research: consistency, the dates they've worked, and type of work done," she said. "I check social media."

    Martinez said it's not just about the title. She looks at the impact of contributions and the hard skills necessary for the role.

    She also looks at how long people have been at their past roles.

    "Ideally we see some longer term gigs, but with the pandemic, the last four years are likely to have gaps. That's okay," she said. But she hopes to see those gaps be filled with upskilling efforts, projects or volunteer work.

    Candidates that made the cut had these things in common: They met the basic criteria, quantified their contributions, and had some bonus points like experience building software applications or a specific programming language.

    She shortlisted 124 résumés for the hiring manager.

    Recruiter screening call

    The hiring manager selected 43 candidates for a recruiter screen —1.28% of the total applicants.

    The next step, a recruiter screening phone call, dug into many of the same things she looked for in the profile review.

    "I verify the facts, ensure they are able to communicate effectively," Martinez said.

    Those who made this cut shared some traits: They were honest, they had carefully read the listing to ensure they were a good fit, they understood the position's needs, and their responses aligned with their written application.

    The more successful candidates were "folks that can provide examples rather than speak in generalities about their experience."

    Martinez said they were also concise about their career goals and projects they are excited to work on.

    The recruiter picked 21 people who interviewed with the hiring manager.

    Last few steps

    The hiring team, which includes hiring managers and recruiters, meets before starting interviews to agree on what they're looking for. Each person selects a few skills and designs questions to evaluate these, Martinez explained.

    After the hiring manager interview, 10 people were cut — leaving 11 to do a take-home evaluation to gauge proficiency with technologies required for the job. Nine of them passed and were asked to do a technical interview.

    Six people successfully completed the technical round and were invited for a culture interview.

    "We consider all available information when making a final decision, marking our pros and cons within scorecards," Martinez said.

    The offer was extended to one applicant 50 days after the job was first posted.

    Be sure you meet most of the qualifications

    With the large volume of applicants for each role posted online, Martinez shared her top tips for those looking to land a new job.

    "Do your due diligence: read the job posting thoroughly before applying to ensure you are a good match," she said. "You should meet all eligibility requirements, 90% of the qualifications, plus some nice-to-haves."

    She also said that the job search process can be long and exhausting.

    "The job search is a marathon, not a race," she said. "Take the time to learn how to succeed and improve at each stage."

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • The West can’t completely isolate Russian banks because it would be disastrous beyond Russia

    Vladimir Putin
    Russian President Vladimir Putin.

    Getty Images

    • The West has tried for more than two years to cripple Moscow's finances by way of sanctions.
    • But the West hasn't blocked all Russian banks' access to SWIFT due to potential global impact.
    • Russia's economy is in "deep, deep trouble" due to sanctions and finite reserves, an economist said.

    When Russia first invaded Ukraine, the West slapped Moscow with swathes of sanctions in an attempt to cripple its finances and force it to end the war quickly.

    However, more than two years later, the war is ongoing and the Kremlin is touting its robust economy.

    But it's not because the sanctions are not effective. It's really because the West hasn't gone all the way. There's one major thing the West could, but won't, do: kill all Russian banks' access to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications, or SWIFT.

    The West hasn't gone all in to block Russian access to SWIFT

    From February to May 2022, the US and European Union repeatedly moved to block some Russian banks' access to SWIFT — but spared those that process international oil and gas payments.

    That's because Russia is a major energy exporter, so abruptly cutting off all its banks' access would have a massive knock-on impact globally.

    "There'd be a lot of collateral damage that would affect non-Russian banks and other banks in the international banking system," Alex Capri, a senior lecturer at the National University of Singapore, told Business Insider.

    The international banking system is interconnected. Trade financing involving multiple parties moves down complex supply chains as commodities move from the supplier to the end buyer.

    "If you paralyze the entire Russian banking system, there'll be other banks around the world that will take the brunt of it as well, because they finance trade and other commodities," said Capri, who described cutting off the access of all Russian banks as "the nuclear option."

    However, if things get "really bad," such as in a rapid expansion of the war in Ukraine, the West could "absolutely" double down and shut the Russian banks from SWIFT, added Capri, who was the regional leader of KPMG's international trade and customs practice in Asia Pacific and a former international trade specialist at the US Customs Service.

    But it may not come to such a step after all.

    'Russia's economy is in deep, deep trouble'

    Despite the West's frustration with how Russia's economy still appears to be holding up, the sanctions appear to be finally working.

    This is in part due to secondary sanctions. The West has tightened its restrictions against companies in third-party countries that still do business with Russia.

    So while Russia has been able to hang on to its economy so far, the economy is in "deep, deep trouble" in the medium term, Richard Portes, an economics professor at London Business School, told BI.

    Portes cited the scaling back of Russia's "natural trade partners" — those near the country geographically — as a major stumbling stone.

    "Russia is not trading with Europe, so the opportunities, the possibilities for profitable, sensible trade, are very limited," Portes told BI.

    While Russia has managed to pivot most of its oil exports from Europe — previously its single largest market — to India and China, such a move comes with costs that include lower selling prices and logistical challenges.

    "These alternatives cannot properly, effectively, efficiently, productively replace trading with Europe," Portes said.

    Human capital and investment are also flowing out due to Russia's brain drain and the West's restrictions on investment and trade.

    "In five years, you're going see a really disastrous slowdown in the Russian economy," said Portes, who called for stronger sanctions enforcement.

    Russia cannot create foreign reserves

    One key reason why Russia's economy is unlikely to hold up is due to the finite nature of its reserves.

    "Russia can compensate for a fall in revenues from natural resource exports using its gold and currency reserves, as well as the effect of shrinking imports," Alexander Kolyandr, a financial analyst, wrote in a post for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on April 9. "But reserves are not infinite, and there is a limit to how far imports can contract."

    Portes agreed with this stance.

    "Unless there was a big increase in the oil price or some other windfall, they would have major problems financing imports over the next couple of years in the near-term future," Portes said.

    In a reflection of how financially isolated Russia has become, the country has limited options other than the Chinese yuan for its reserves, the Central Bank of Russia said in a report in March.

    In April 2022, Russia's central bank governor Elvira Nabiullina warned Russia's reserves can't last forever.

    "A significant problem is that they are running out of foreign exchange reserves, and you can't create foreign reserves," Portes added.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • He fell in love with Thailand while traveling in his 20s. Now 40, he’s back and has built his dream ‘James Bond’ luxury villa.

    The house as viewed from above.
    The house as viewed from above.

    Johnny Ward/onestepforward

    • Johnny Ward, an Irish travel blogger, built a luxury villa in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2021.
    • He says he spent about 22.5 million Thai baht, or about $600,000, on the entire build.
    • His two-story villa features a pool, a home cinema, and a man-cave.

    The first time Johnny Ward went to Chiang Mai, Thailand, he was 22.

    He paid for his one-way flight with money he earned from participating in a five-week-long medical research study. It was the first time he had traveled anywhere in Asia.

    A Caucasian man on a scooter in front of his house in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
    Johnny Ward on a scooter in front of his house in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

    Johnny Ward/onestepforward

    Over the next year and a half, Ward taught English at a local school and fell in love with Chiang Mai's laidback lifestyle.

    When that stint was over, he moved to Australia to take up a sales job. Although the pay was good, he was dissatisfied with corporate life. He decided to quit his job to travel and ended up starting a blog to document his adventures.

    "I was living a fun, cool life, and I just wanted to show other people from working-class backgrounds that you don't need to come from a rich family to live a cool life," Ward, now a travel blogger who also runs a online media company, told Business Insider.

    But after traveling the world, Ward realized that Chiang Mai still had his heart.

    "If you ever Google things like '10 best places to live,' 'Best place to be a digital nomad,' 'Best place to retire,' Chiang Mai often features in top 20 of all these things," Ward said. "It's so nice."

    That's why in 2019, he decided to return and build a permanent home.

    "I always wanted a James Bond villa — Miami-style, Ibiza-style. So I kind of think that's exactly what I did," Ward said.

    Two floors of luxury

    The front of the house.
    The front of the house.

    Johnny Ward/onestepforward

    In late 2020, Ward bought a 13,000-square-foot plot of land with his wife, Jaa, who is from Thailand, for 6 million Thai baht, or about $160,000.

    The land is located in a gated community about 15 minutes outside the city center, he said. Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand and is surrounded by mountains.

    Ward then found a local luxury developer to help design his home. They broke ground in early 2021.

    The dining area.
    The dining area.

    Johnny Ward/onestepforward

    "The entire process was very smooth," Ward said. "He's like a one-stop shop. He did everything from the architectural drawing to the actual design — he's got a team of interior designers."

    In Thailand, there are strict criteria for taking out property loans as foreigners. Being self-employed made it difficult for Ward to get financing, so he paid for the entire project in cash.

    One of the lounge areas in the house.
    One of the lounge areas in the house.

    Johnny Ward/onestepforward

    Ward said he spent 13 million Thai baht building the home and another 3.5 million Thai baht furnishing it, or about $460,000 in total.

    The two-story villa has a pool and seven bedrooms, of which three have been converted into an office, a home cinema, and a man-cave.

    Growing up on welfare in Ireland, it had always been Ward's dream to own a large house.

    "When I was like 12, I used to watch all those real estate shows in Ireland," Ward said. "I thought, 'I'm going to build myself my big dream house one day.'"

    The office.
    The office.

    Johnny Ward/onestepforward

    It would have been difficult for him to have all the things he wanted if he had bought an existing home in Chiang Mai, Ward said.

    "And finally, most important of all, I couldn't afford to buy what I want," Ward said. "It's much cheaper to build. The final product that I have here, I couldn't have afforded to buy that off the shelf."

    For instance, a fully furnished seven-bedroom home on a similarly sized plot in Chiang Mai is being listed for 85 million Thai baht, or about $2.35 million, on the property platform Elite Homes Thailand. Six luxury homes with five or more bedrooms are also listed on James Edition, and their asking prices range from $600,000 to $11 million.

    One of the bedrooms in the house.
    One of the bedrooms in the house.

    Johnny Ward/onestepforward

    A dream come true

    Building his own luxury home wouldn't have been possible if he hadn't started his blog all those years ago, Ward said.

    "The key to happiness and a fulfilled life in 2024 and beyond is to make money online, whether that's remotely for a company or, even better, if you can make your own from your own business online," Ward said. "I know it's a very fortunate position to be in, but anyone can have it."

    Since he paid for his home out of pocket, he's free of housing debt, Ward said.

    Although there are some exceptions, he says the cost of living in Thailand is generally lower than in Ireland.

    The gym.
    The gym.

    Johnny Ward/onestepforward

    "I'm from Ireland, so a pint of Guinness is double the price here. And while something like a 90-inch TV can also be slightly more expensive in Thailand, the day–to-day costs are just a fraction of back home," Ward said.

    According to data on the user-contributed database Numbeo, the cost of living in Thailand is also, on average, 50.9% lower than in the US.

    However, Ward said he will still have to consider other bigger costs in the future, especially if he has kids and they attend international schools in Thailand.

    One of the bathrooms in the house.
    One of the bathrooms in the house.

    Johnny Ward/onestepforward

    Ward is also in the midst of building a house about half a mile away for his mother.

    "She's got Parkinson's disease," Ward said. "In the future, if she needs to have a nurse or something, there's the affordability of having a lovely, kind nurse who could live in the house with her and also for me to be able to take care of her."

    The pool.
    The pool.

    Johnny Ward/onestepforward

    Ward, now 40, says he's proud of achieving his homeownership dreams in his 30s.

    "People want to say like, 'Oh, it's not what you have. It's all about your mentality.' I'm a positive guy; I love my life regardless. And my life, on top of that, got better in my lovely house," he added.

    Have you recently built or renovated your dream home in Asia? If you've got a story to share, get in touch with me at agoh@businessinsider.com.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Here is the earnings forecast through to 2026 for ANZ shares

    A woman standing on the street looks through binoculars.

    Many investors hold ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares for the juicy dividends they pay. However, the size of future dividends is largely dependent on the bank’s profit. So just how much profit is ANZ expected to make in the next few years?

    With a rapidly changing economic environment, and uncertainty surrounding inflation and interest rates, no one can know precisely how much profit the ASX bank stock will deliver in FY25 or FY26. But we can rely on ANZ’s recent earnings updates and predictions from top brokers to gain a pretty good idea of what’s to come.

    Also to be considered is the fact that ANZ is looking to boost its scale and geographic diversification (particularly in Queensland) by buying the banking operations of Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN).

    Let’s dive into the outlook!

    FY24

    The bank recently reported its FY24 first-half result, which according to broker UBS, was largely in line with market expectations. Net profit after tax (NPAT) came in at $3.5 billion, down 1% half-over-half. ANZ benefitted from a stronger non-net interest income performance, supported by its loan book doing better than expected.

    UBS said the $2 billion on-market share buyback was a “welcome positive”.

    However, there was a 9 basis point (0.09%) hit to the net interest margin (NIM) to 1.56%, which the broker said was a “negative overhang on the result”. Excluding ‘markets’, ANZ’s NIM declined 2 basis points (0.02%) to 1.63%.

    After reviewing the results, UBS increased its FY24 profit forecast for ANZ by around 6%, but downgraded the FY25 and FY26 forecasts by 0.1% and 0.6%, respectively. The downgrades were due to higher cost expectations.

    The broker is forecasting the bank could make $7 billion in FY24 and deliver earnings per share (EPS) of $2.29. This suggests ANZ is valued at around 12x FY24’s estimated earnings.  

    FY25

    UBS is still forecasting FY25 will see a sizeable increase in profitability for ANZ shares, despite the challenge of rising arrears and lending competition.

    The broker is suggesting ANZ’s net profit can rise by more than $200 million to $7.2 billion. This would translate to the bank making EPS of $2.42. If this eventuates, it would mean the ANZ share price is currently valued at under 12x FY25’s estimated earnings.

    FY26

    UBS suggests that ANZ’s profit could rise again by around $500 million to $7.7 billion in FY26. This would mean the ASX bank stock could deliver EPS of $2.58, despite the broker’s warning of higher costs than previously expected for FY26.

    Based on those profit estimates, the ANZ share price is currently trading at under 11x FY26’s estimated earnings.

    Foolish takeaway

    Whilst UBS tapered its profit forecast slightly based on the bank’s most recent results, the outlook still looks pretty promising to me. If ANZ can deliver on the broker’s predictions, I believe that the current share price trading at under 11x FY26’s earnings seems like good value for ASX income investors.

    The post Here is the earnings forecast through to 2026 for ANZ shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Australia And New Zealand Banking Group right now?

    Before you buy Australia And New Zealand Banking 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 Australia And New Zealand Banking 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 Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • A career coach shares 3 keys to setting yourself up for success as an entrepreneur

    Close-up detail of a businessman working at a desk with a smartphone and laptop computer.
    Mindset is huge when it comes to betting on yourself, career coach Marlo Lyons told Business Insider, but it isn't everything.

    Neil Godwin/Future via Getty Images

    • Career coach Marlo Lyons told BI that a big part of being a successful entrepreneur is in your mindset.
    • But there are also concrete steps to take to improve the odds of your bet on yourself.
    • Here are Lyons' top tips she gives clients when they're gearing up to give entrepreneurship a try.

    Since the pandemic overhauled our needs and expectations for work, more and more people are choosing to open their small businesses — but entrepreneurship isn't for everyone.

    According to statistics from the Center for American Progress, rates of new likely employer business applications shot up 34% between 2021 and 2023 compared to the three years prior. Though the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 20% of small businesses will fail within the first two years, successful entrepreneurs often say they made it by sheer grit.

    Career coach Marlo Lyons told Business Insider that mindset is huge when betting on yourself, but it isn't everything. You can have all the positivity in the world, but if you aren't actively working toward success, you're not likely to stumble into it.

    Here are Lyons' top three tips for coaching clients gearing up to try entrepreneurship.

    Start with a side hustle — one you're an expert in

    OK, maybe you don't have to be an expert now, but pick a field you can reasonably develop expertise in by yourself. You can't really start an innovative bioengineering company without any background knowledge, and you don't need to go back to school to become an entrepreneur.

    But there are tons of platforms to develop and showcase your expertise, Lyons noted, like Upwork and Fiverr — which she said are great ways to build a ramp-up to launch your own small business.

    "When I was first coaching, when I was getting certified, I would charge people five bucks an hour. I needed the hours for certification more than the money because I was working full-time but then, even for years, I was supercheap," Lyons said. "While you're getting started, you don't have to charge a lot of money to get the experience, build up your clientele to show that you're capable — and then you'll get referrals."

    Set concrete goals and become obsessive about meeting them

    Once you've dipped your toe in the water and decided the entrepreneurial road is for you, don't expect success to come to you without effort.

    That's when the rubber meets the road, Lyons said, and you must start defining what you want your business to look like and what you'll have to do to get there.

    "I am super huge on a planner. I mean, like, I'm obsessive about my planner. When getting your business going, set your yearly and quarterly goals for yourself," Lyons said. "Every quarter, what are you going to accomplish that quarter? Break it down week by week —what will you accomplish to hit your goals? Reflect upon that week, and look and see what you accomplished. What didn't you accomplish? What's been held over to the following week? How can you do better?"

    Get comfortable with ambiguity

    "When I was writing my first book, I was stuck every single step of the way," Lyons said. "I needed to find an editor, which probably took me three months. Then I realized, OK, now I need a book designer. How am I going to do that? I don't know how to do that. Then, oh wait, I need an ISBN number."

    You don't know what you don't know along the path of building a business, so get comfortable admitting you don't have all the answers and even more comfortable finding out who to ask. This is really where the importance of your mindset sets in, Lyons said.

    "You have to believe that if you have the ambition and keep moving one step forward every step of the way, you will get there."

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • 3 excellent ASX ETFs for beginner investors to buy

    A group of young people lined up on a wall are happy looking at their laptops and devices as they invest in the latest trendy stock.

    If you’re a beginner investor and not yet confident with stock picking, then the solution could be exchange traded funds (ETFs).

    That’s because ETFs allow investors to buy large groups of shares through a single investment.

    This means that not only can you build a diverse portfolio effortlessly, but you don’t have to worry about dedicating time to researching individual shares.

    With that in mind, which ASX ETFs could be top options for beginner investors right now? Three that could be worth considering are listed below:

    BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

    The first ASX ETF that could be a great pick for beginners is the BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF. It would be a top option if you want to invest in some of the biggest and best companies that the world has to offer (which is never a bad idea!).

    That’s because the massively popular ETF gives you access to the 100 largest non-financial shares on the famous NASDAQ index. This is where you’ll find all the big tech giants that are ever-present in our daily lives. This includes by providing search engines, streaming services, mobile phones, spreadsheets, electric vehicles, and online shopping platforms.

    iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

    Another ASX ETF for beginner investors to consider buying this month is the iShares S&P 500 ETF. It could be a good alternative to the NASDAQ 100 ETF if you want a more balanced option for your investment portfolio.

    The reason for this is that as well as giving you access to the 100 shares in the above-mentioned ETF, the iShares S&P 500 ETF also covers a further 400 of the top listed companies on Wall Street. This means that you will be investing in a diverse group of shares, including countless household names, from a range of different sectors. This makes it a more diverse option for investors.

    Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

    A final ASX ETF for beginner investors to look at is the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF. It could also be a great option if you’re focusing on diversity. That’s because this ETF gives investors exposure to approximately 1,500 of the world’s largest listed companies from major developed countries.

    The fund manager, Vanguard, highlights that investing internationally offers greater access to sectors such as technology and health care that aren’t as well represented in the Australian share market. Among the ETF’s largest holdings are giants from numerous industries such as Apple, Johnson & Johnson, JP Morgan, Nestle, and Visa.

    The post 3 excellent ASX ETFs for beginner investors to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Ishares S&p 500 Etf right now?

    Before you buy Ishares S&p 500 Etf 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 Ishares S&p 500 Etf 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

    JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, JPMorgan Chase, Visa, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Johnson & Johnson and Nestlé. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares

    A bored woman looking at her computer, it's bad news.

    At the start of each week, I like to look at ASIC’s short position report to find out which shares are being targeted by short sellers.

    This is because I believe it is well worth keeping a close eye on short interest levels as high levels can sometimes be a sign that something isn’t quite right with a company.

    With that in mind, here are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC:

    • Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) remains the most shorted ASX share with short interest of 21.6%. This is up slightly week on week. Short sellers are betting on a lithium surplus weighing on prices.
    • IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) has 16.2% of its shares held short, which is down slightly week on week. This language testing and student placement company has been targeted due to student visa changes in a number of key markets.
    • Syrah Resources Ltd (ASX: SYR) has short interest of 13.2%, which is up slightly week on week. Short sellers may believe this graphite miner will continue to burn through cash due to weak battery materials prices and require yet another capital raising.
    • Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has seen its short interest ease week on week to 11.5%. Short sellers appear to have closed a few positions in response to news that the travel agent giant expects record sales in FY 2024.
    • Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) has 10.3% of its share held short, which is down sharply week on week. Liontown’s Kathleen Valley Lithium Project will soon be commencing production and adding to the supply of the white metal.
    • Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) has short interest of 8.6%, which is up strongly for a second week in a row. This may be due to doubts over the gold miner’s plan to merge with Canada-based Karoa Resources.
    • Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) has short interest of 7.8%, which is down week on week. Lithium prices have become so weak that Core Lithium had to suspend mining activities to conserve cash.
    • Chalice Mining Ltd (ASX: CHN) has short interest of 7.8%, which is up week on week. Short sellers may be regretting this one. The mineral exploration company’s shares rocketed 25% last week following the Federal Budget.
    • Sayona Mining Ltd (ASX: SYA) has short interest of 7.6%, which is down week on week. It currently costs this lithium miner $500 per tonne more to produce its lithium than it is selling it for. This hasn’t gone unnoticed by short sellers.
    • Weebit Nano Ltd (ASX: WBT) has returned to the top ten with short interest of 7.6%. This semiconductor company’s shares have lost almost half their value this year. Despite this, it seems that short sellers believe they can fall even further given the company’s lack of meaningful revenue and its significant competition.

    The post These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Chalice Gold Mines 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 Chalice Gold Mines 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 Idp Education. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Flight Centre Travel Group and Idp Education. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Morgans says these ASX stocks can rise 20% (and pay big dividends!)

    A cool young man walking in a laneway holding a takeaway coffee in one hand and his phone in the other reacts with surprise as he reads the latest news on his mobile phone

    If you are on the lookout for the winning combination of market-beating returns and an attractive dividend yield (who isn’t?), then it could be worth checking out the two ASX stocks in this article.

    That’s because the team at Morgans thinks so highly of these stocks that it has put them on its best ideas list this month and is tipping very big returns over the next 12 months.

    Here’s what you need to know about these stocks:

    Cedar Woods Properties Limited (ASX: CWP)

    Morgans thinks this property company is great value at current levels and sees scope for the ASX stock to re-rate to higher multiples. Particularly given that demand for its offering is improving and should result in improving margins in the near future. The broker explains:

    CWP is a volume business and the demand for lots looks to be improving, with margins to invariably follow. CWP’s exposure to lower priced stock in higher growth markets sees further potential to drive earnings. On this basis, we see every reason for CWP to trade at NTA and potentially at a premium, were the housing cycle to gain steam through FY25/26.

    Morgans has an add rating and $5.60 price target on its shares. This implies potential upside of 20% for investors from current levels. In addition to this upside, the broker is forecasting a 4.3% dividend yield from its shares.

    Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

    Another ASX stock that could be a buy according to Morgans is youth fashion retailer Universal Store. The broker likes the company due to its growth opportunities and resilient target market. It said:

    Our positive view about the fundamental long-term appeal of Universal Store as a retail proposition and investment opportunity is undiminished. The growth opportunities are in place. Universal Store’s women’s banner Perfect Stranger is performing well, justifying an acceleration in its network expansion; the prospect of building out the wholesale distribution channels acquired with CTC is compelling; and customers continue to respond well to the Universal Store banner, rendering its plan to grow this network to more than 100 stores more than reasonable. Although its core youth customers are far from buoyant, they continue to spend.

    Morgans has an add rating and $6.50 price target on its shares, which suggests potential upside of 20%. Making the deal even sweeter for investors is that the broker believes this ASX stock will provide a fully franked ~5% dividend yield.

    The post Morgans says these ASX stocks can rise 20% (and pay big dividends!) appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Cedar Woods Properties Limited right now?

    Before you buy Cedar Woods Properties 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 Cedar Woods Properties 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 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.