The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) didn’t have its best year in 2022. But can the exchange-traded fund (ETF) stage a turnaround in 2023?

In terms of the unit price, the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF declined by 8.5% last year, though the income distributions did offset some of that pain.

Investors should keep in mind that the return of an ETF like this is almost entirely decided by the performance of the underlying holdings in its portfolio, minus the cost of the annual management fee (which is 0.10% for this ETF).

This particular ETF tracks the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XJO) which represents 300 of the biggest businesses on the ASX.

What happened in 2022?

Rising interest rates and elevated inflation seemed to impact investor confidence and share prices quite significantly over the past year. Indeed, the Reserve Bank of Australia raised interest rates from 0.1% to 3.1%.

While some names saw positive returns, like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), there were plenty of others that took a sizeable hit. Names like Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), and Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL) all fell by around 20% or more over the year.

Legendary investor Warren Buffett once said about interest rates:

The value of every business, the value of a farm, the value of an apartment house, the value of any economic asset, is 100% sensitive to interest rates because all you are doing in investing is transferring some money to somebody now in exchange for what you expect the stream of money to be, to come in over a period of time, and the higher interest rates are the less that present value is going to be. So every business by its nature…its intrinsic valuation is 100% sensitive to interest rates.

Not only are valuations being hit but earnings of some economy-linked sectors may be impacted such as ASX retail shares, construction businesses, and so on.

How could the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF perform?

It’s impossible to know how things are going to go. But, however things pan out, the ETF’s return is likely to be heavily influenced by ASX bank shares and mining shares. At the end of November 2022, financial shares made up 28.3% of the Vanguard Australian Shares Index portfolio, with materials making up another 24.2%, for a combined total of 52.5%.

ASX banks could see stronger lending profitability on the back of a higher central bank interest rate as they pass on rate hikes to borrowers faster than to savers. Certainly, reporting higher profits could mean improving investor confidence. However, there is also a danger that as time goes on, arrears could increase if some borrowers can’t handle the higher interest payments.

As well, resource price movements are very hard to predict. On the one hand, there’s a risk that a possible global recession could lower demand for commodities. However, the reopening of the Chinese economy after COVID lockdowns may mean stronger demand from the Asian superpower.

I do believe that when interest rate increases are paused, this could lead to a boost in investor confidence once people see that there won’t be any further pressure on investor valuations.

If I had to guess, I think the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF unit price will go up this year as inflation calms and interest rate worries somewhat reduce. Economic conditions may worsen during the year, but share prices sometimes move ahead of the economic numbers showing the pain (or strength).

The post The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (VAS) sank 9% in 2022. What’s the outlook for 2023? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Chasing the latest Vanguard Australian Shares (VAS) ETF payout? Don’t miss the cut-off
• Yields of up to 7%… 3 ASX dividend shares I’d buy to hold for 10 years
• Is the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (VAS) worth buying for 2023?
• Over 30 with no investments? Use Warren Buffett’s wisdom to build your wealth with ASX shares
• Future-proofing: The ASX ETF Aussie parents were buying for their kids in 2022

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 positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia 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.

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The ASX share market is full of names that pay dividends to investors. But, there aren’t many S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) dividend shares that I’d bet on to keep paying solid dividends for the next five years. After all, dividends are not guaranteed payments.

Why dividend investing can work well

But, plenty of businesses can keep paying dividends during leaner times because they are still making a profit. A 10% reduction of profit for Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) would still mean it’s making a large amount of money that it can pay to shareholders.

Share prices tend to go through volatility. It’s possible for the share market to hit a bump every so often like it did in 2020 and 2022.

Over the longer term though, businesses can reinvest some of the profits that it makes back into the business to grow profit in the future. With the rest of the profit, it can pay dividends to shareholders.

It’s this combination of dividends and long-term profit growth that can lead to pleasing dividend income payments as well as capital growth over time.

I’m going to cover three of my favourite ASX 200 dividend shares in this article.

There are plenty of smaller ASX dividend shares that offer larger dividend yields, but I think there is a higher chance of a dividend cut from names like Adairs Ltd (ASX: ADH) and Best & Less Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: BST) than the blue chip ASX shares I’m about to outline.

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

In terms of dividend payment longevity, I think Soul Pattinson has the best record on the ASX.

It has been listed on the ASX since 1903, and it has paid a dividend every year since then. The ASX 200 dividend share has also grown its ordinary dividend every year since 2000, which is the longest dividend streak of consecutive annual growth.

This business operates as an investment house. Its investments are spread across a range of industries including both ASX shares and private businesses. For example, it owns a lot of shares of TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG), Tuas Ltd (ASX: TUA), Brickworks Limited (ASX: BKW), New Hope Corporation Limited (ASX: NHC), Pengana Capital Group Ltd (ASX: PCG), Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA).

In terms of unlisted businesses, it’s involved in sectors like agriculture, electrical parts, swimming schools and luxury retirement living.

According to Commsec, it could pay a grossed-up dividend yield of 4% in FY23.

Sonic Healthcare Limited (ASX: SHL)

The Sonic Healthcare share price is close to its 52-week low, which has had the impact of boosting the prospective dividend yield for new investors.

For investors that haven’t heard of this ASX healthcare share before, its core service is providing pathology services in a number of western countries including Australia, the UK, Germany and the US.

Its non-COVID testing revenue has continued to steadily grow, which I think can help grow its underlying profit over the long term. The company has a progressive dividend policy, meaning that it wants to grow its payment to shareholders.

The business has processed millions of COVID tests over the past three years, which gave it a temporary earnings boost. It was generating millions of dollars in revenue each month from COVID tests, as of October, though this seems to be steadily winding down. The company has used the cash flow boost to make acquisitions, locking in an increased scale.

The ASX 200 dividend share is investing in an AI partnership that could help improve pathology in the future.

According to Commsec, the Sonic Healthcare grossed-up dividend yield for FY23 could be 4.7%.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers is the parent business of a number of leading Aussie retailers like Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks and Priceline.

The company wants to grow dividends for shareholders over time alongside earnings and cash flow. FY22 saw the business grow its total dividend per share by 1.1%.

Even if retail does suffer a bit in 2023, I think its earnings are resilient. Customers may be more motivated to shop at stores like Bunnings and Kmart because they are among the national leaders in providing good value products. At least, that’s what management would say.

I like that the business is open to expanding its business portfolio by making acquisitions, such as the Priceline business. Another example is the lithium project Mt Holland, in which Wesfarmers is a partner.

According to Commsec, Wesfarmers could pay a grossed-up dividend yield of 5.6% in FY23.

The post My best ASX 200 dividend shares for 2023 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• These are the ASX dividend shares to buy now: brokers
• 2022 was brutal for Wesfarmers shares. What now?
• Here’s how I’ll be investing my money in ASX shares in 2023
• How I’d invest $1,000 in ASX 200 shares for rising inflation
• How I’d use a stock market crash to boost my passive income

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Brickworks and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Adairs, Brickworks, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Adairs, Brickworks, Telstra Group, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group, Sonic Healthcare, and Tpg Telecom. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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The Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) share price gained an impressive 72.9% in 2022.

But the ASX lithium stock certainly didn’t deliver those gains smoothly.

The Core Lithium share price ranged from lows of 60 cents in January to highs of $1.88 in November. The miner closed the year trading for $1.02 per share.

And as you can see in the chart below, there was plenty of volatility in the company’s march higher over the course of the year.

So, why were investors faced with such wild swings in 2022?

Why all the volatility?

Throughout the year gone by, the Core Lithium share price alternately rocketed higher or was pushed lower largely based on investor expectations of lithium prices.

The lightweight, conductive metal is a critical element in most electric vehicle and home storage batteries. The global EV market, in particular, expanded rapidly in 2022 and is expected to continue on a strong growth trajectory over the coming years.

With lithium supplies in 2022 initially falling below demand, the price more than doubled last year and is up more than 10-fold since early 2021.

That drove investor exuberance for most lithium stocks, driving up the Core Lithium share price.

Investors are also enthusiastic about the miner’s Finniss Lithium Project, located in the Northern Territory. Finniss is scheduled to commence production this year.

However, not everyone believes that the sky-high lithium prices have been warranted. Indeed, prices have retraced by more than 3% since the mid-November peak.

As for the Core Lithium share price, it fell 45% from its 14 November highs by 30 December.

While the longer-term outlook for lithium demand remains strong, analysts, including those from Goldman Sachs, believe the medium term could see increased supply hitting the market just as some of the demand comes off.

Goldman’s commodity experts are among those who forecast that lithium prices will come off the boil in the second half of 2023.

Part of the recent concerns stems from China, the world’s biggest manufacturer of EVs. Alongside the government’s plans to eliminate subsidies for new EV sales, rocketing COVID cases could throw up some major headwinds for the Chinese economy.

As in 2022, bearish forecasts on lithium prices are likely to send the Core Lithium price lower this year while bullish news could see the miner again charging higher.

How has the Core Lithium share price performed longer-term?

Volatility or not, you’re unlikely to hear any long-term investors complaining up their holdings.

Over the past five years, the Core Lithium share price has rocketed 1,030%. Boom!

The post What caused such wild swings in the Core Lithium share price in 2022? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• These were the 3 best performing ASX lithium shares of 2022
• The 3 best performing ASX 200 mining shares of 2022
• Why are ASX 200 lithium shares running on empty today?
• Why has the Core Lithium share price fallen 26% in a month?
• Here are the 10 most shorted ASX shares

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.

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It’s certainly been a rollercoaster for ASX investors in 2022. But now, it’s time to disembark and begin a whole new ride!

Will rising inflation and recession fears derail the carriage again in 2023? Or will China fully reopen and central banks turn dovish to prevent any major big dippers?

Stay tuned! But in the meantime, we asked our Foolish contributors for their thoughts on which are the best shares to bring joy to your ASX ride in 2023.

Here is what the team came up with:

7 best ASX shares for January 2023 (smallest to largest)

• Mach7 Technologies Ltd (ASX: M7T), $164 million
• Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD), $1.58 billion
• Deterra Royalties Ltd (ASX: DRR), $2.43 billion
• Metcash Limited (ASX: MTS), $3.75 billion
• iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI), $4.06 billion
• Allkem Ltd (ASX: AKE), $7.18 billion
• Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN), $10.99 billion

(Market capitalisations as of 4 January 2023)

Why our Foolish writers love these ASX shares

Mach7 Technologies Ltd

What it does: Mach7 Technologies provides and develops image management and viewing solutions in the healthcare sector. The core of these offerings is its Mach7 Enterprise Imaging Solution.

By Bernd Struben: Mach7 is on the smaller end of the investment spectrum with a market cap of some $165 million. Yet it has a global reach into the large and growing medical imaging markets.

In the first quarter of FY23, the company reported annual recurring revenue (ARR) of $17.9 million, up 3.2% from the prior quarter. While cash receipts were down from the prior quarter, Mach7’s balance sheet was solid, with $21.5 million in cash and no debt.

The company kicked off 2023 announcing the largest customer contract in its history. The 10-year deal with NASDAQ-listed Akumin Inc has a total contract value of approximately $16.7 million. The Mach7 share price surged 18% on the day of the announcement. But I believe there could be more gains in the months ahead.

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben does not own shares in Mach7 Technologies.

Elders Ltd

What it does: Elders is an agribusiness company providing services for those in industries such as livestock, wool, and grain. It also offers real estate services, home loans, and insurance products, among other various avenues.

By Brooke Cooper: A new year has dawned, and it’s likely brought plenty of new investing opportunities. Alas, I’ve got my eye on an old one.

Elders has been around for more than 180 years, but the last one has been particularly rough on its share price. It’s fallen 16% over the last 12 months.

Recent selloffs in the company have been excessive, in the eyes of both myself and broker Goldman Sachs.

The broker believes Elders is “very well-positioned to grow through the cycle”, slapping it with a buy rating and an $18.40 price target. This represents a potential 82% upside.

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper does not own shares in Elders Ltd. 

Deterra Royalties Ltd

What it does: Deterra Royalties collects a fee from royalty assets it holds in its portfolio. The main contributor to the company’s financials is its royalty over the Mining Area C iron ore mining operation in the Pilbara region.

By Mitchell Lawler: Inflationary pressures have shone a light on businesses with low operational costs. Companies with minimal employee expenses, material costs, and debt could be well situated this year. 

Deterra Royalties appears to be one such company thanks to its royalty business model. Due to the lack of capital-intensive operations, Deterra touted a 97% gross profit margin in FY22 and a net income margin of 67%. 

The risk to this company’s bottom line is iron ore demand. There is concern stemming from China’s challenging exit from a zero-COVID policy. However, I’d expect China will find its feet eventually, much like the rest of the world. 

Motley Fool contributor Mitchell Lawler does not own shares in Deterra Royalties Ltd.

Metcash Limited

What it does: Metcash operates three different divisions. It is a food supplier for independent supermarkets around Australia, namely IGA, and a liquor supplier for brands such as Cellarbrations, The Bottle-O, IGA Liquor and Thirsty Camel. The company also owns hardware brands, including Mitre 10, Homeware Timber & Hardware and Total Tools.

By Tristan Harrison: Investors looking for stability during this uncertain time could do well with Metcash, in my opinion. I think its food and liquor earnings can be resilient, as we saw during the COVID-19 period. The Australian population’s continued growth could be a boost, particularly for the food division.

I’m excited by the potential of the hardware division as it expands its number of locations and grows profitability. The hardware division is now making the most profit and saw 8% sales growth in the first four weeks of the FY23 second half.

According to Commsec, Metcash could pay a grossed-up dividend yield of 7.7% in FY23, which would boost total returns.

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison does not own shares in Metcash Limited.

iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF

What it does: This exchange-traded fund (ETF) represents a basket of global companies specialising in consumer staples products like food, drinks, vices and household essentials.

By Sebastian Bowen: Happy New Year! Like 2022 before it, 2023 is shaping up to be a year of unknowns and risks. Rising interest rates have led to predictions of another recession this year.

 With all of this uncertainty, I think it’s a good time to turn to companies that can thrive in all economic climates: consumer staples. No matter what the economy is doing, we all need to eat drink and keep our homes running.

As such, I believe that the iShares Consumer Staples ETF, housing top-notch names like McDonald’s, Kellogg and Colgate-Palmolive, provides a solid foundation for an ASX share portfolio in the new year.

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen owns shares in McDonald’s.

Allkem Ltd

What it does: Allkem is a speciality lithium products company with a global portfolio of diverse and high-quality lithium chemicals.

By James Mickleboro: My first pick this year is lithium miner Allkem. The lithium industry has been going through a tough period in recent weeks amid concerns that prices have peaked. And while a peak was inevitable eventually, this doesn’t mean the end of the road for Allkem. Far from it!

Thanks to its plan to grow production four times over in the coming years, it remains well-placed to continue generating bumper profits even as prices ease.

In fact, even Goldman Sachs, which is extremely bearish on lithium prices, believes Allkem shares are a buy. It currently has a buy rating and $15.20 price target on them.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro owns shares in Allkem. 

Qantas Airways Limited

What it does: Qantas is Australia’s leading operator of international and domestic air transportation services. It also provides freight services and has a lucrative frequent flyer loyalty program.

By James Mickleboro: Another ASX share that I would buy this month is Australia’s flag carrier airline, Qantas. Despite its shares smashing the market in 2022, I still believe they are attractively priced. Especially given how the airline has come out the other side of the pandemic as a significantly stronger business.

For example, Goldman Sachs forecasts FY 2023 earnings per share almost 60% higher than FY 2019’s pre-COVID levels. And that’s despite the company operating with a group capacity 20% lower than 2019 levels. Yet despite this, Qantas shares have closed out the year notably lower than where they ended 2019.

Goldman currently has a conviction buy rating and an $8.20 price target on its shares.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro does not own shares in Qantas. 

The post Top ASX shares to buy in January 2023 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• The Qantas share price soared 20% in 2022. Can it maintain altitude in 2023?
• Why are ASX 200 lithium shares running on empty today?
• Can these 2 ASX 200 shares crush the market again in 2023?
• Mach7 signs $17 million contract – share price jumps 20% at open
• How I’d invest $1,000 in ASX 200 shares for rising inflation

The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Mach7 Technologies. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elders, Mach7 Technologies, and Metcash. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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On Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was back on form and raced higher. The benchmark index rose 1.6% to 7,059.2 points.

Will the market be able to build on this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to edge higher

The Australian share market looks set to rise on Thursday despite a mixed night of trade on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 11 points or 0.15% higher this morning. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is down 0.1%, the S&P 500 has risen 0.1% and the NASDAQ has climbed 0.1%.

US Federal Reserve minutes

It has been a volatile night of trade on Wall Street. After starting the day in the red and then rebounding strongly, investors have started to hit the sell button again late in the session in response to the release of the US Federal Reserve’s minutes from its December meeting. The Fed said: “In view of the persistent and unacceptably high level of inflation, several participants commented that historical experience cautioned against prematurely loosening monetary policy.”

Oil prices sink again

Energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have another difficult day after oil prices sank again on Wednesday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 4.5% to US$73.48 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 4.6% to US$78.37 a barrel. Oil prices fell on global economic growth concerns.

Mining giants rise

It could be a positive session for mining giants BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) after their shares rose on Wall Street and the London Stock Exchange, respectively, overnight. Both miners have risen 1.5% at the time of writing, which bodes well for this morning’s session.

Gold price rises

Gold miners Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Regis Resources Limited (ASX: RRL) could have a good day after the gold price rose again overnight. According to CNBC, the spot gold price is up 0.6% to US$1,857 an ounce. Gold rose after the US dollar softened.

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• ASX financial shares lifted the ASX 200 today
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• ASX 200 tech shares are leading the market higher today
• Buy these growing ASX 200 dividend shares in 2023: experts
• The Flight Centre share price nosedived 18% in 2022. Is it preparing for take-off in 2023?

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.

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Exchange traded funds (ETFs) don’t just provide investors with access to indices, countries, or sectors. They also allow investors to achieve different investment goals.

For example, if you’re wanting to build an income portfolio, you could buy the ETFs named below that have been designed to provide investors with exposure to a collection of dividend shares.

Here’s what you need to know about them:

BetaShares S&P 500 Yield Maximiser (ASX: UMAX)

The first ETF for income investors to look at is the BetaShares S&P 500 Yield Maximiser.

This ETF has been designed to provide income investors with attractive quarterly income and low volatility.

BetaShares aims to do this via an equity income investment strategy over a portfolio of shares comprising the S&P 500 Index on Wall Street. This clever strategy allows the ETF to generate a greater than average yield from the constituents of the index.

In fact, at the last count, the BetaShares S&P 500 Yield Maximiser’s units were offering investors an 8.7% distribution yield.

Among the shares listed on the S&P 500 index are dividend-paying giants such as Apple, Bank of America, Exxon Mobil, Home Depot, and Walmart.

Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY)

If you’re wanting to invest locally then income investors might want to look at the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF.

This ETF focuses on investing in a collection of ASX shares that have higher forecast dividends relative to the rest of the market.

And it does this with diversification in mind. The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF restricts the proportion invested in any one industry to 40% and 10% for any one company.

At the last count, there were 70 ASX shares included in the portfolio. These include giants such as Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS), and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC).

The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF currently trades with an estimated forward dividend yield of 5.4%.

The post Here are the ASX ETFs to buy for a passive income boost in 2023 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• 2 excellent ETFs for ASX investors in January
• 2 of the best ETFs for ASX investors to own in 2023
• The ASX-listed ETFs to buy for a passive income in 2023
• How I’d build passive income with just $20 a week

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Westpac Banking. 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 positions in and has recommended BetaShares S&p 500 Yield Maximiser Fund and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF and Westpac Banking. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) recovered from Tuesday’s fall today, lifting 1.63% to close at 7,059.2 points.

Its gains came despite a rough night’s trade on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) traded flat on Tuesday overseas while the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) fell 0.4% and the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) dropped 0.8%.

Interestingly, the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) led the way today. It rose 2.9%.

And the tech sector wasn’t alone in posting a whopper gain. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) also lifted 2.2% while the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) jumped 2.1%.

It wasn’t such a good day for energy stocks, however. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) fell 1.3% after the price of oil slid 4% amid concerns about Chinese demand and a stronger US dollar, Reuters reports.

So, with all that in mind, let’s take a look at today’s top-performing ASX 200 shares.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Today’s best-performing ASX 200 share was none other than BrainChip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN). Its share price rose 11.4% to close at 83 cents despite no news having been released by the tech favourite.

Today’s biggest gains were made by these shares:

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
BrainChip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN)	$0.83	11.41%
Sayona Mining Ltd (ASX: SYA)	$0.21	10.53%
Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG)	$9.47	8.6%
Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)	$7.59	8.27%
Imugene Limited (ASX: IMU)	$0.155	6.9%
Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI)	$9.24	6.45%
Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA)	$7.74	5.59%
Silver Lake Resources Limited (ASX: SLR)	$1.25	5.49%
Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM)	$4.87	5.41%
Ramelius Resources Limited (ASX: RMS)	$0.99	5.32%

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary to let you know which companies were making big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• ASX 200 tech shares are leading the market higher today
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Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper 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 Pinnacle Investment Management Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Pinnacle Investment Management Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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The stock market continues to see sizeable moves each day and each week. If a sustainable recovery occurs with ASX shares, then I think there are some names that could do very well.

While not every business may go up in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), there are some names that could achieve market-beating returns in 2023, after a punishing year in 2022, even if they don’t recover all of the lost ground.

If something drops 50% from $100 to $50, a recovery to $75 would be a rise of 50% from that low level.

Here are three names that have been hit hard, which I believe can do well, particularly if the ASX share market does rise.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

Temple & Webster is a leading online retailer of furniture and homewares. Over the past 12 months, the Temple & Webster share price has fallen around 55%.

It has suffered from the weak investor sentiment surrounding both ASX growth shares and ASX retail shares.

The FY23 first half is cycling against COVID-19 lockdowns in the prior 12 months, which was a boost for online shopping. So, the upcoming result may show a reduction in sales.

However, the company is hoping and expecting to return to double-digit revenue by the end of FY23.

The company is investing heavily to improve its offering, including an AI interior design service as well as augmented reality so that customers can ‘see’ the product in their space.

As the company grows, it’s expecting to see scale benefits, which can help profit margins.

Temple & Webster says that its total addressable market is more than $30 billion, now that it’s expanding in the home improvement category (which includes tools and equipment, paint and supplies, plumbing fixtures and so on).

There is potential for online penetration of shopping to continue to grow. In 2021, the Australian online market penetration of furniture and homewares was somewhere between 15% to 17%, while in the UK it was between 28% to 30%.

Reece Ltd (ASX: REH)

Reece may be best known as a bathroom and plumbing supply business in Australia. But, it also has growth plans in a number of different areas.

It has grown into the ‘sun belt’ of the US. The ASX share has acquired a Reece-like business in the country, so it can benefit from organically expanding that business, as well as the population growth those states are seeing.

Plus, Reece is becoming increasingly involved in infrastructure, such as large-scale water systems. The company also has an HVAC segment, which supplies mechanical services, air conditioning, spare parts and heating and cooling.

The Reece share price is down by around 50% over the past 12 months. While households may buy fewer bathroom products in Australia and the US in 2023, I don’t think there is going to be a large, permanent decline in demand to anywhere near that level.

According to Commsec, the Reece share price is valued at 22 times FY23’s estimated earnings.

Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI)

Pinnacle is a business that’s heavily involved in funds management. While it’s not doing any stock picking itself, it has invested in a portfolio of funds management businesses.

It aims to identify quality managers and help them start their own business, and take a stake of that management business. Some of the managers in the current portfolio include Antipodes, Coolabah, Metrics, Plato and Spheria.

Pinnacle can help the managers with seed money, legal, back office tasks, distribution services and so on.

Pinnacle has been hurt by the decline in the share market, with the fund managers’ funds under management (FUM) taking a hit. This in turn then hurts the profitability which can affect investor optimism about profit generation.

However, I think that a recovery of the share market would be a very helpful boost for FUM. It could also mean that people are willing to invest with fund managers again.

After the 42% fall over the past year, I think it looks much better value. According to Commsec, it’s valued at 23 times FY23’s estimated earnings.

The post 3 of the best ASX shares I’d buy now for a stock market rally in 2023 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Here’s how I’ll be investing my money in ASX shares in 2023
• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• 10 ASX shares I think are buys for 2023
• Top ASX growth shares to buy for a stock market rebound
• Is the Pinnacle share price the ASX 200’s biggest bargain right now?

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 positions in and has recommended Pinnacle Investment Management Group and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Pinnacle Investment Management Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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The S&P/ASX 200 Technology Index (ASX: XJO) is leading the market on Wednesday, and many of the market’s favourite shares are among its biggest gainers.

Right now, the ASX 200 tech sector is up 2.6% after falling 1.54% yesterday. Meanwhile, the S&P/All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) has lifted 2.39% today.

For comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 1.5% at the time of writing, recovering from yesterday’s dire session.

So, which ASX 200 tech shares are posting today’s biggest gains? Let’s take a look.

ASX 200 tech shares lead the market

The ASX 200 tech sector is outperforming on Wednesday with the likes of Novonix Ltd (ASX: NVX) and BrainChip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN) providing the biggest gains.

Shares in battery technology and materials company Novonix have lifted 5.1% right now to trade at $1.48 while those in neuromorphic computing outfit BrainChip have risen 6.3% to reach 79 cents. Here’s how other notable names are performing:

• Stock in Block Inc (ASX: SQ2) has gained 4.4% to trade at $96.47
• WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares have jumped 2.8% to $50.53
• The Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) share price has lifted 3.1% to reach $71.30

The sector’s day in the green comes despite a rough night’s trade for the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC).

It dumped 0.76% while most of Australia slept, weighed down by shares in electric vehicle giant Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA). Its stock tumbled 12.2% in Tuesday’s session overseas.

The fall came as the US$330 billion company revealed its fourth-quarter deliveries to the market’s disappointment, as The Motley Fool reports.

A glimmer of hope for the future?

In more positive news, experts at Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) hold hope for currently-embattled ASX 200 tech shares in coming years.

The banking giant looked back on 2022 and provided an outlook for the new year today. CommSec chief economist Craig James wrote:

[W]hile the economic environment in 2023 may not be the most conducive for ‘growth-focussed’ sectors, forward-looking investors may be more positive on prospects in 2024 – especially if rates are cut as expected late this year.

Consumer discretionary, information technology, property, and smaller companies should be watched.

The prediction follows a rough year for technology fans. The ASX 200 tech sector tumbled 34% in 2022.

The post ASX 200 tech shares are leading the market higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• The Flight Centre share price nosedived 18% in 2022. Is it preparing for take-off in 2023?
• What could gas caps mean for the Woodside share price?
• ANZ shares were slaughtered in 2022. Does the new year bring fresh hope?
• Forget gold! Here’s why I’d buy ASX 200 dividend shares to hedge against inflation
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper 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, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Xero. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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If you’re looking for dividend shares to buy for 2023 to boost your passive income, then you may want to look at the two listed below.

Here’s why analysts rate these growing ASX 200 dividend shares highly:

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

The first ASX 200 dividend share that could be a buy is Santos.

It is one of the region’s largest energy producers, aiming to deliver production of 103-106 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe) in FY 2022.

The team at Morgans is positive on the company due to its “growth profile and diversified earnings base.” The broker believes this leaves it “well placed to outperform against a backdrop of a broader sector recovery.”

Morgans is expecting this to underpin dividends per share of 23 cents in FY 2022 and 24.4 cents in FY 2023. Based on the current Santos share price of $6.99, this will mean yields of 3.3% and 3.5%, respectively.

Morgans has an add rating and $9.00 price target on its shares, which suggests material upside potential in 2023.

Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW)

Another ASX 200 dividend share that could be a buy is Woolworths.

Goldman Sachs is a very big fan of the retail giant. It likes the company due to its strong market position and digital leadership. The broker expects the latter to support further market share and margin gains in the coming years, which bodes well for its earnings and dividend growth.

In the meantime, it is forecasting fully franked dividends of $1.02 per share in FY 2023 and $1.13 per share in FY 2024. Based on the current Woolworths share price of $33.21, this will mean yields of 3.1% and 3.4%, respectively.

Goldman currently has a conviction buy rating and $41.70 price target on the company’s shares.

The post Buy these growing ASX 200 dividend shares in 2023: experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Why are ASX 200 energy shares falling today?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• With hardly any savings at 40, I’d use the Warren Buffett method for generating passive income
• 3 steps to generating passive income with ASX 200 dividend shares in 2023
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

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.

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