• The Flight Centre share price nosedived 18% in 2022. Is it preparing for take-off in 2023?

    Man sitting in a plane seat works on his laptop.Man sitting in a plane seat works on his laptop.

    The Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) share price fell 17.8% in 2022.

    Flight Centre shares closed 2021 trading at $17.62 each and ended 2022 swapping hands for $14.49 apiece.

    For some context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) dropped 5.5% over the past calendar year.

    So far, the first two trading days of 2023 have been a mixed bag for the Flight Centre share price.

    Yesterday, the travel stock closed down 0.7%. In late afternoon trading today, shares are up 1.74% to $14.64.

    So what’s in store for the year ahead?

    Is the travel stock set to take off?

    Following the past year’s fall, the Flight Centre share price remains down 59% from where it was shortly before the COVID-fuelled market sell-off.

    Yet many ASX 200 investors believe the stock has further to fall.

    Flight Centre shares are the most shorted on the Australian share market, with a massive 14.7% of its shares held short.

    As my Fool colleague James Mickleboro noted last week, Flight Centre shares were the most shorted on the ASX, with 14.7% of the company’s shares held short on 30 December.

    Investors are likely skittish over the company’s struggles to return to profitability.

    After posing hefty losses in FY21, Flight Centre reported a statutory loss before tax of $378 million for FY22. That’s a 37% improvement from the losses of the prior year. But still…

    Potential headwinds for the Flight Centre share price in 2023 include any significant delays with the global reopening.

    The biggest risk there at the moment looks to be China. COVID cases in the Middle Kingdom are skyrocketing following the nation’s reopening last month. This has seen numerous countries, Australia included, reintroduce virus testing for Chinese travellers.

    Should the situation come under control in short order, without major disruptions to international travel demand, the Flight Centre share price could be one to benefit.

    Other headwinds for ASX 200 investors to bear in mind are the impacts of further interest rate hikes and continuing high inflation. Both of these will see consumer spending power eroded by more than any expected wage increases in 2023.

    And at the end of the day, air travel – pent-up demand or not – will take a back seat to making mortgage payments. Or fuelling up the family car.

    With that said, a number of brokers, while not actively recommending Flight Centre, have a positive outlook on its share price.

    Macquarie has a price target of $17.35; Citi has a price target of $16.60; and Goldman Sachs has a price target of $16.10. All three brokers have a neutral rating on Flight Centre shares.

    The stock is currently trading for $14.64 per share.

    How has the Flight Centre share price performed longer-term?

    As mentioned up top, and shown in the chart below, the Flight Centre share price dropped 18% in 2022.

    Longer-term investors who snapped up shares in the travel stock on 19 March 2020, following the sharp pandemic fire sale, are sitting on gains of 64%.

    The post The Flight Centre share price nosedived 18% in 2022. Is it preparing for take-off in 2023? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    FREE Investing Guide for Beginners

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    *Returns as of November 7 2022

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    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 recommended Flight Centre Travel 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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  • Why Appen, Hub24, Northern Star, and PointsBet shares are racing higher today

    A happy group of workers around a table raise their arms in the air as though celebrating a work achievement. One woman is on her feet with her arm raised in the air in a fist-pumping action.

    A happy group of workers around a table raise their arms in the air as though celebrating a work achievement. One woman is on her feet with her arm raised in the air in a fist-pumping action.

    In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is back on form and is racing higher. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up 1.5% to 7,048.5 points.

    Four ASX shares that are climbing more than most today are listed below. Here’s why they are rising:

    Appen Ltd (ASX: APX)

    The Appen share price is up 6.5% to $2.59. As well as a rebound in the tech sector, this artificial intelligence data services company’s shares were given a boost from a broker note out of Jefferies. According to the note, the broker believes Appen will deliver revenue of US$393 million in FY 2022, which is at the top end of its guidance range. And while Jefferies only has a hold rating on Appen’s shares, its price target of $3.10 is meaningfully higher than current levels.

    Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

    The Hub24 share price is up 3.5% to $27.44. This wealth management platform provider’s shares were also given a boost from a note out of Jefferies. Its analysts believe HUB24 could double its market share over the next decade.

    Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)

    The Northern Star share price is up 2.5% to $11.39. This follows another rise in the gold price overnight, which took the precious metal to a six-month high. This has led to the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold index rising 2.2% this afternoon.

    Pointsbet Holdings Ltd (ASX: PBH)

    The PointsBet share price is up 6% to $1.59. In addition to benefiting from a tech rebound, an announcement yesterday could be giving PointsBet’s shares a lift. On Tuesday, the sports betting company announced its launch in the state of Ohio in the United States. This marks the company’s 14th online sports betting operation in the country.

    The post Why Appen, Hub24, Northern Star, and PointsBet shares are racing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Turn the market pullback to your advantage today

    The recent market pullback in stocks has been eye watering…

    But there is a silver lining because, historically, some millionaires are made in bear markets.

    And when investors can find world-class stocks at severe discounts you have to wonder…

    Have you got these four ‘pullback stocks’ in your portfolio?

    See The 4 Stocks
    *Returns as of December 1 2022

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    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 Appen, Hub24, and PointsBet. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended PointsBet. 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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  • These are the highest-yielding ASX 200 dividend shares right now

    A man in his 30s holds his laptop and operates it with his other hand as he has a look of pleasant surprise on his face as though he is learning something new or finding hidden value in something on the screen.A man in his 30s holds his laptop and operates it with his other hand as he has a look of pleasant surprise on his face as though he is learning something new or finding hidden value in something on the screen.

    Dialling in a decent dividend income in 2023 could prove difficult if the pundits are right about an incoming recession. Fewer dollars being spent by consumers could mean fewer dividends for ASX shares to hand out.

    On the other hand, interest rates are estimated to be near their peak. A recent survey of economists conducted by The Australian Financial Review implies two more rises before The Reserve Bank of Australia hits the pause button.

    If both were 0.25% increases, we’d be looking at a 3.6% cash rate. In all likelihood, that could mean savings accounts offering around 5%. Not too shabby for a risk-free return on your money.

    However, there are two factors to consider before loading up on cash:

    • The return would still be negative when adjusted for inflation at the current 6.9% rate; and
    • Interest rates are likely to fall again at some point in the future

    If all you want is the highest possible yield, these ASX 200 dividend shares are beating inflation and savings rates right now.

    Gargantuan ASX dividend yields on offer in 2023

    You might initially think you’d need to look outside the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) for companies advertising a yield greater than 10%.

    It sounds too good to be true… something that would be limited to the speculative end of town. Yet, here I am disclosing five ASX shares with the highest yields right now — all above a whopping 10%.

    Kicking us off at number five is the global mining beast, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP). Not only has Australia’s largest listed company by market capitalisation outpaced the benchmark index by 15% over the last year; but it also touts a tasty 10.1% dividend yield.

    Beating out BHP with dividend yields of 11.4% and 12.9% respectively are Tabcorp Holdings Limited (ASX: TAH) and Smartgroup Corporation Ltd (ASX: SIQ). The former enjoyed a 13.7% upwards run in its share price over the past 12 months; the latter suffered a sickening 33% decline.

    Smartgroup’s mouthwatering 12.9% yield could be in jeopardy in the future following a reduction in the salary packaging and leasing company’s interim dividend.

    Finally, who are the chart toppers among ASX 200 dividend shares right now? Well, unlike last year, it isn’t two iron ore mining companies. Instead, New Hope Corporation Limited (ASX: NHC) and Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) are the belles of the yield ball.

    The New Hope share price (shown above) and dividend yield have exploded since a year ago. Now, investors of this coal producer can bag themselves a 14.8% dividend yield based on the trailing 12 months.

    However, the dividend yield champion — Magellan Financial Group — has been dealt a 51% blow to its share price during the last year. But, payouts have remained relatively resilient, boosting this ASX dividend shares’ yield to a dazzling 19.2%.

    The post These are the highest-yielding ASX 200 dividend shares right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    *Returns as of December 1 2022

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    Motley Fool contributor Mitchell Lawler has positions in Smartgroup. 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 Smartgroup. 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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  • Why Audio Pixels, Bowen Coking Coal, Pantoro, and Woodside shares are dropping

    Three guys in shirts and ties give the thumbs down.

    Three guys in shirts and ties give the thumbs down.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has returned to form on Wednesday and is charging higher. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is up 1.4% to 7,043.9 points.

    Four ASX shares that have failed to follow the market higher today are listed below. Here’s why they are dropping:

    Audio Pixels Holdings Ltd (ASX: AKP)

    The Audio Pixels share price is down a further 6% to a 52-week low of $9.50. Last week, this digital speaker developer revealed that it is facing further delays with its placement. Though, delays are nothing new for Audio Pixels shareholders. Investors have been waiting over a decade for the company’s speakers to be released.

    Bowen Coking Coal Ltd (ASX: BCB)

    The Bowen Coking Coal share price is down 3% to 30.2 cents. A number of coal miners are falling again today. This may be down to concerns that coal prices may not be as strong in 2023 and are locking in some of the stellar gains that were recorded over the last 12 months.

    Pantoro Ltd (ASX: PNR)

    The Pantoro share price is down 10% to 9 cents. This morning the gold miner and Tulla Resources Group Pty Ltd (ASX: TUL) revealed that they are in discussions in relation to a potential transaction to combine the ownership of the gold asset at Norseman into a single Pantoro entity. The two are joint venture partners at Norseman. It also revealed that the Halls Creek mine will be placed on care and maintenance.

    Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

    The Woodside share price is down 2% to $34.61. Investors have been selling energy shares today after oil prices pulled back overnight. Traders were selling down oil amid concerns that Chinese demand could be softer than expected due to rising COVID cases.

    The post Why Audio Pixels, Bowen Coking Coal, Pantoro, and Woodside shares are dropping appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    One great investor says, “Be greedy when others are fearful.”

    With so much fear in the market, Warren Buffett’s been using the sell-off as an opportunity to buy the dip…

    Where he’s reportedly spent tens of billions of dollars buying up stocks…

    And while you’re free to go about buying Citigroup, Paramount, and Occidental Petroleum…

    We think these 4 world class stocks could be even better…

    See The 4 Stocks
    *Returns as of December 1 2022

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    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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  • 2 ASX 300 shares soaring to new 52-week highs today

    Two people climb to the summit and raise their arms in success as the sun rises brightly over the mountains.Two people climb to the summit and raise their arms in success as the sun rises brightly over the mountains.

    The market is back in the green and these two S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) shares are making the most of it. They’ve rocketed to trade at their highest point in more than 12 months.

    It comes as the index bounces back from yesterday’s carnage. After starting the year off with a 1.28% tumble, the ASX 300 is up 1.43% at the time of writing, trading at 7,045 points.

    So, which market favourites are riding the wave to long-forgotten heights? Let’s take a look.

    2 ASX 300 shares posting new 52-week highs

    The first ASX 300 share posting a new 52-week high on Wednesday is diversified mining contract services provider NRW Holdings Limited (ASX: NWH).

    Stock in the company surged 3.94% earlier today to peak at $2.90. That marks its highest point in nearly two years.

    Interestingly, there’s been no news from the industrial stock to explain today’s gain. Though its subsidiary Golding Contractors is set to kick off a $230 million mining services agreement this month, as the ASX-listed company announced in December.

    The last 12 months have been a good time to be invested in the ASX 300 share. It has gained a whopping 58% since this time last year.

    Posting a new 52-week high alongside shares in NRW Holdings is former market darling A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M).

    The milk and baby formula company’s stock hit a high of $7.07 earlier today, marking a 4.43% gain. That’s the highest the stock has traded since May 2021.

    Interestingly, there’s been no price-sensitive news from the company in months.

    Though, as my Fool colleague Tristan recently noted, A2 Milk could be among those set to benefit from China’s reopening. A fair chunk of its earnings was once derived from daigou buyers.

    The last 12 months have been good to A2 Milk stock. The ASX 300 company’s share price has risen 26% since this time last year.

    The post 2 ASX 300 shares soaring to new 52-week highs today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

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    *Returns as of December 1 2022

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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended A2 Milk. 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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  • Why did 2022 bring such huge highs and lows for Pilbara Minerals shares?

    Scared looking people on a rollercoaster ride representing the volatile Mineral Resources share price in 2022

    Scared looking people on a rollercoaster ride representing the volatile Mineral Resources share price in 2022

    It certainly was an eventful year for Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares.

    As you can see on the chart below, the lithium miner’s shares traded as high as $5.66 before finishing the year at $3.77.

    While this still meant that Pilbara Minerals shares ended the year with a 17% gain, it could have been so much better for shareholders.

    What happened to Pilbara Minerals shares in 2022?

    Investors were scrambling to buy the lithium giant’s shares last year due to its strong performance in FY 2022.

    Thanks to sky high lithium prices, Pilbara Minerals reported a 577% increase in revenue to $1.2 billion and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) of $814.5 million. The latter was up massively from just $21.4 million in FY 2021.

    And with Pilbara Minerals’ online lithium auctions continuing to command higher and higher prices for much of the year, investors were betting on another stellar result in FY 2023.

    Furthermore, management revealed that it would pay its maiden dividend in 2023, much to the delight of shareholders.

    However, a couple of bearish broker notes late in the year claiming that lithium prices could soon collapse caused investors to panic.

    The selling then intensified after Pilbara Minerals released a digital auction which revealed a month on month decline in the price commanded for its lithium on the platform.

    What’s next?

    Opinion remains divided on where Pilbara Minerals shares are heading in 2023.

    The team at Macquarie remain positive and expect lithium prices to remain strong. As a result, the broker has put an outperform rating and $7.50 price target on its shares. This suggests that its shares could double in 2023.

    Whereas Credit Suisse has an underperform rating and lowly $2.60 price target on its shares. This implies potential downside of 30% for investors from current levels.

    Time will tell which broker made the right call.

    The post Why did 2022 bring such huge highs and lows for Pilbara Minerals shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at near dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of December 1 2022

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    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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  • What could gas caps mean for the Woodside share price?

    Worker inspecting oil and gas pipeline.Worker inspecting oil and gas pipeline.

    The Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price is down 1.83% during the lunch hour, at $34.70 per share.

    This comes as investors eye the potential impact of fast-spreading COVID cases in China on energy demand. Concerns that saw Brent crude oil prices dip 4.4% overnight.

    S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) energy share investors are also keeping an eye on the potential impact of the government price caps on gas, and how this might impact the Woodside share price.

    What’s happening with the gas price caps?

    In December, the government’s proposal to cap the price of coal and gas sold in domestic markets passed through the Senate despite opposition from the crossbench.

    The government made the move, citing concerns over soaring electricity costs in 2023 as gas prices rocketed in 2022 amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

    According to the government website, the “emergency, temporary price cap on new domestic wholesale gas sales by east coast producers will be implemented for 12 months to help keep wholesale gas contract prices under control”.

    The government intends to set this cap at $12/GJ, noting it believes this is “a reasonable price allowing for the key costs of domestic supply, including a reasonable return on capital, for gas sourced from currently operational fields”.

    According to data from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, before Russia invaded Ukraine, 96% of the 289 domestic supply offers on the east coast in 2021 for supply in 2023 were below $12/GJ. The average offer came in at $9.20/GJ.

    Gas from undeveloped fields will not be impacted by the price caps.

    To date, the Woodside share price has largely shrugged off the price caps. Shares are down about 2.5% since the legislation passed the Senate.

    Not that Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill is pleased about the caps.

    O’Neill stated:

    The policy will not address falling domestic gas supply and the increasingly critical role of gas in providing dispatchable power… We need to unlock gas supply now.

    Woodside has been looking at options to increase supply, including through new LNG import terminals, exploration spending and further development on the east coast. Unfortunately, the proposed market intervention will make it very difficult for industry to economically invest to increase supply.

    The final impact on the Woodside share price remains to be seen.

    But I suspect that the company’s performance will hinge more on global oil and gas prices than the temporarily, artificially suppressed domestic gas prices.

    Woodside share price snapshot

    As you can see in the chart below, the Woodside share price has enjoyed a strong year, up 53% over the past 12 months. For some context, the ASX 200 is down 7% over this same period.

    The post What could gas caps mean for the Woodside share price? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    FREE Beginners Investing Guide

    Despite what some people may say – we believe investing in shares doesn’t have to be overwhelming or complicated…

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    *Returns as of November 7 2022

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    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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  • How a high-yield ASX income portfolio could boost my annual returns by 25%

    group of diverse friends enjoying a momentgroup of diverse friends enjoying a moment

    I believe investing a small portion of my portfolio in high-yielding ASX income shares could up my annual returns by a quarter. My secret ingredient? Diversification.

    Why I would diversify to bolster returns

    Say I held a portfolio of shares capable of offering a stable 5% return annually. Such a return – considering both capital gains and dividends – is relatively modest. Though, it’s likely also comparatively safe.

    But what if I told you there might be a way I could have my cake and eat it too? That is, investing a small portion of my portfolio in high-yielding ASX shares.

    Plenty of quality ASX dividend shares are likely trading for a discount following 2022’s market downturn.

    Many of those could be capable of returning more than 10%, including both share price gains and dividends, at their current prices.

    How I might boost my ASX portfolio‘s annual return by 25%

    Now, I wouldn’t want to give up my core portfolio in a bid to realise higher returns. What I might do, however, is create a smaller high-yield ASX portfolio to sit alongside it.

    I might aim to build up my high-yield portfolio to a quarter of the size of my core portfolio, taking care to only add shares I believe can outperform the market over the long term.

    If I could find a handful of shares capable of providing an average 10% annual return, my portfolio’s predicted performance might look like this:

    Portion of my portfolio Expected annual return
    75% 5%
    25% 10%
    100% 6.25%

    Thus, I could bump my total projected annual return from 5% to 6.25% – increasing it by 25% – by investing in a shadow portfolio of high-yielding ASX shares.

    Though, it’s worth noting no investment is guaranteed to provide returns and past performance isn’t an indication of future performance.

    Risk vs reward

    You might be reading this and wondering why I wouldn’t just build my entire portfolio from shares I believe could return more than 10% annually.

    My reasoning is simple: Higher rewards generally come with higher risks.

    Rarely will a blue chip share return 10% in a single year. However, that sort of return is often common among growth stocks.

    Thus, diversification can help an investor make the most of various investing enclaves, while still offering some protection from market swings.

    Additionally, an investor’s tolerance for risk and volatility should largely determine the makeup of their ASX portfolio. Personally, I’d be comfortable with a 75%-stable and 25%-high-yield mix, and the diversification such a make up can offer.

    The post How a high-yield ASX income portfolio could boost my annual returns by 25% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    You beat inflation buying stocks that pay the biggest dividends right? Sorry, you could be falling into a ‘dividend trap’…

    Mammoth dividend yields may look good on the surface… But just because a company is writing big cheques now, doesn’t mean it’ll always be the case. Right now, ‘dividend traps’ are ready to catch unwary investors as they race to income stocks to fight inflation.

    This FREE report reveals 3 stocks not only boasting sustainable dividends but that also have strong potential for massive long term returns…

    Yes, Claim my FREE copy!
    *Returns as of December 1 2022

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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 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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  • ANZ shares were slaughtered in 2022. Does the new year bring fresh hope?

    A middle-aged woman sits in contemplation over a tablet device considering information about ASX shares and deep in thought.

    A middle-aged woman sits in contemplation over a tablet device considering information about ASX shares and deep in thought.

    The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX: ANZ) share price fell just over 13% in 2022. But can the ASX bank share turn things around in 2023?

    It significantly underperformed the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which dropped by around 7%.

    Indeed, it also underperformed compared to the other big banks, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC).

    What went wrong in 2022?

    I’m not sure that anything went particularly wrong last year. But, there were a few elements that could have caused concern.

    In mid-2022, when interest rate rises started picking up, investors may have become concerned about how the bank’s loan book was going to perform in a rapidly-rising interest rate environment. Would it lead to higher arrears and bad debts?

    How the bank performed in its FY22 result could also have been a factor.

    In the 12 months to 30 September 2022, it reported that statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) rose by 16% to $7.1 billion. That’s a strong growth number.

    However, the bank said that its core underlying profit actually went backwards. Its continuing operations cash profit before credit impairments, tax and large/notable items fell 3% to $9.1 billion.

    But the ANZ board did decide to grow the annual dividend per share by 3% to $1.46.

    It also said that its total gross loans and advances (GLAs) increased by 7% to $676 billion. The ANZ CEO Shayne Elliott explained that it has restored momentum with its Australian home loans with application approval times “back in line with industry peers”.

    Another factor that could have impacted the ANZ share price in 2022 was the announcement of the proposed acquisition of the banking division of Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN). ANZ says that this deal will add scale and allow it to challenge the other major banks more effectively.

    However, it’s possible that the deal may not be a great move, particularly if the bank focuses on integrating the Suncorp banking division rather than improving its current operations.

    Could 2023 be better?

    For ANZ shares in 2023, the biggest boost could be the higher interest rates.

    A key part of a bank making profit is the net interest margin (NIM). The NIM is the profit margin that the bank makes on its lending compared to the cost of that funding, such as savings accounts and term deposits.

    If a saver had $100,000 in a term deposit with a rate of 3%, and $100,000 was lent with a loan rate of 5%, the NIM would be 2%.

    The NIM can increase in a rising interest rate environment because the banks are passing on rate increases to borrowers faster than to savers.

    In its FY22 result, ANZ said:

    We expect the environment will continue to be supportive for margins in the first half, although any change from the exit margin is likely to be more modest.

    ANZ indicated that in FY23, it could earn an additional net interest income of $1.5 billion and then in FY25, it could generate $3.2 billion of extra net interest income.

    If profit goes higher, investors could decide that the ANZ share price is worth more, along with potentially higher dividends.

    Valuation

    According to Commsec, the ANZ share price is valued at 10 times FY23’s estimated earnings with a potential grossed-up dividend yield of 9.3%.

    At this price, ANZ looks cheap and offers a big yield. With higher lending profit expected, it could be worth looking at, though it’d be wise to think about how the planned Suncorp deal and, possibly, higher loan arrears could affect things.

    The post ANZ shares were slaughtered in 2022. Does the new year bring fresh hope? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at near dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of December 1 2022

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    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 recommended 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 3 best performing ASX 200 mining shares of 2022

    Three happy miners standing with arms crossed at a quarry.Three happy miners standing with arms crossed at a quarry.

    S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining shares outperformed the broader market last year.

    The ASX 200 dropped more than 5% over the 12 months to 31 December 2022 amid soaring inflation, rising interest rates, and the war in Ukraine. But the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) dodged the carnage, gaining around 5% in that time.

    Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was lithium and coal miners that led the way.

    Let’s crown the three biggest share price gains posted among ASX 200 materials and resources shares in 2022.

    3 best ASX 200 mining shares of 2022

    Taking out gold as the ASX 200’s top-performing mining share of 2022 is – drum roll please – lithium favourite Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO).

    After closing 2021 at 59 cents, the share shot up over the course of last year to finish at $1.02 – marking a 72.9% gain for the 12-month period.

    Lithium was the talk of the town last year and Core Lithium was there to capitalise. The company is working to kick off production at its Finniss Project in the Northern Territory. It’s set to ramp up in the current half.

    The next best-performing ASX 200 mining share of 2022 was coal producer Coronado Global Resources Inc (ASX: CRN).

    It rose from $1.24 at the final close of 2021 to end last year at $1.99 – a whopping 60.5% gain.

    Much of its rise was seemingly driven by its soaring earnings, a result of sky-high coal prices. The black rock’s value soared in 2022 as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sparked an energy crisis in Europe.

    Finally, taking out bronze is another lithium favourite, Sayona Mining Ltd (ASX: SYA). The mining share was added to the ASX 200 in September.

    Its shares closed 2021 at just 13 cents before leaping to exit last year at 19 cents – a 46.1% gain.

    The company holds assets in Canada and Australia and is expected to restart its North American Lithium operation this quarter.

    The post The 3 best performing ASX 200 mining shares of 2022 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at near dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of December 1 2022

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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 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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