• These were the best performing ASX 200 shares in November

    A wide-eyed happy woman with long brown hair and wearing a pink top holds her hands up in delight after hearing positive news

    A wide-eyed happy woman with long brown hair and wearing a pink top holds her hands up in delight after hearing positive news

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was on form again in November and charged notably higher. The benchmark index rose 6.1% to finish at 7,284.2 points.

    While a good number of shares climbed higher with the market, some recorded particularly strong gains during the month. Here’s why these were the best performers on the ASX 200 last month:

    Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR)

    The Sandfire share price was the best performer on the ASX 200 in November with a 45.2% gain. This follows a very eventful month for the copper miner, which included the appointment of a new CEO and completion of a $147 million institutional entitlement offer. But the key driver of its strong share price gain was a rebound in the copper price during the month.

    Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG)

    The Origin Energy share price wasn’t far behind with a stunning gain of 41.1%. The catalyst for this was news that the energy company has received an indicative, conditional, and non-binding proposal from Brookfield Asset Management and MidOcean Energy to acquire it for $9.00 cash per share. This represented a premium of almost 55% to its last close price.

    Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA)

    The Champion Iron share price was on form and charged 35.9% higher during the month. Investors were buying this Canadian iron ore miner’s shares after the steel making ingredient rebounded strongly. After starting the month at around US$80 a tonne, the iron ore price climbed above US$100 a tonne at the end of it.

    Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC)

    The Nickel Industries share price was a strong performer and recorded a 33.6% gain last month. This was driven by news that the company’s 70%-owned Oracle Nickel Project within the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park in Central Sulawesi has produced its first batch of nickel pig iron. A bullish note out of Bell Potter may also have given its shares a lift. The broker has reiterated its buy rating and lofty $1.71 price target on the nickel producer’s shares.

    The post These were the best performing ASX 200 shares in November 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 November 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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  • Why Tesla stock hit the accelerator today

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    A young couple in the back of a convertible car each raise a single arm in the air whilst enjoying a drive along the road.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    What happened 

    Tesla‘s (NASDAQ: TSLA) stock was rising this afternoon after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said that smaller interest rate hikes will begin in December. 

    That news caused market indices to jump — with the S&P 500 gaining 2.3% and the Nasdaq Composite rising 3.4% — and they took Tesla’s share’s along with them. 

    The electric vehicle stock was up by 5.3% as of 3:34 p.m. EST. 

    So what 

    Speaking at the Brookings Institution today, Powell said that the Federal Reserve will likely begin smaller increases to the federal funds rate at its December meeting. 

    Powell also said that the Fed’s moves, including past interest rate hikes, will take time to slow inflation and that “it makes sense to moderate the pace of our rate increases as we approach the level of restraint that will be sufficient to bring inflation down.” 

    Investors were very happy to hear that today, and they specifically latched onto Powell’s comments when he said that “The time for moderating the pace of rate increases may come as soon as the December meeting.” 

    Growth stocks like Tesla have been especially vulnerable to the Fed’s aggressive interest rate hikes as investors have worried that the Fed will end up pushing the U.S. economy into a recession. 

    Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been concerned about exactly that and tweeted earlier today, before Powell’s comments were published, about the potential for a recession: 

    Now what

    While the Fed isn’t cutting rates like Musk hoped, investors are happy to see that the severity of the increases will at least decrease.

    But Powell also warned that the Fed has more work to do. “Despite some promising developments, we have a long way to go in restoring price stability,” he said today. 

    But with central bank officials now indicating that less aggressive interest rate increases could be on the horizon, many growth stock investors are celebrating the news today. 

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    The post Why Tesla stock hit the accelerator 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.* 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 November 1 2022

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

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

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  • Buy these cheap ASX dividend shares now: analysts

    A smiling woman with a handful of $100 notes, indicating strong dividend payments

    A smiling woman with a handful of $100 notes, indicating strong dividend payments

    If you’re searching for cheap ASX dividend shares to buy, then the two listed below could be worth looking at.

    Both have fallen heavily in recent months and have been tipped as buys with major upside potential and big future yields.

    Here’s what you need to know about them:

    Baby Bunting Group Ltd (ASX: BBN)

    The first ASX dividend share that could be in the buy zone is leading baby products retailer Baby Bunting.

    While the company has been having a tough time this year and seen its margins come under pressure, the team at Morgans remains positive on the future and believes its significant share price weakness has created a buying opportunity. The broker has an add rating and $3.60 price target on its shares.

    It highlights that these margin pressures are transitory and reminds investors of Baby Bunting’s “compelling opportunities to grow its share of a growing market.”

    In respect to dividends, Morgans is forecasting fully franked dividends per share of 14 cents in FY 2023 and then 16 cents in FY 2024. Based on the current Baby Bunting share price of $2.54, this will mean yields of 5.5% and 6.3%, respectively.

    Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD)

    Another ASX dividend share that has been beaten down this year and could be cheap now is Elders. It is a leading agribusiness company offering a range of services to rural and regional customers across the ANZ region.

    Its shares were sold off last month following the release of its FY 2022 results. Although Elders delivered strong revenue and earnings growth, this was overshadowed by its uncertain outlook for FY 2023 and news that its CEO will retire next year.

    Goldman Sachs remains positive on the company and believes investors should be snapping up its shares. So much so, it has put a conviction buy rating and $18.40 price target on its shares.

    Although heavy rainfall poses a short term headwind, the broker remains positive on the future and believes “ELD is very well positioned to grow through the cycle.”

    As for dividends, the broker is expecting fully franked dividends per share of 53 cents in FY 2023 and 57 cents in FY 2024. Based on the current Elders share price of $10.32, this will mean yields of 5.1% and 5.5%, respectively.

    The post Buy these cheap ASX dividend shares now: analysts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    *Returns as of November 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 recommended Baby Bunting Group and Elders. 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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  • ‘This has legs to rally’: Expert names 3 ASX shares that just hit the buy zone

    Three people in a corporate office pour over a tablet, ready to invest.Three people in a corporate office pour over a tablet, ready to invest.

    As the Santa rally gathers pace, buyers are re-entering the share market, looking to catch a ride uphill into 2023.

    But in an environment of rising interest rates and a slowing economy, stock selection is critical.

    Shaw and Partners portfolio manager James Gerrish this week mentioned three ASX shares that look prime for a rally:

    The ASX shares going for ‘significant discounts’

    This year has been brutal for any ASX share involved in the real estate industry.

    A whopping 275-basis point interest rate rise would certainly do that. Most experts are predicting that by Tuesday afternoon, 2022 will end with a 300-point hike.

    However, Gerrish feels like real estate stocks have been punished enough.

    “What we are reading and [listening] to around the outlook for interest rates is well and truly factored into the market,” he said in a Market Matters Q&A.

    “Real estate trusts/companies are trading at significant discounts to the carrying value of their assets — 30% in some cases.”

    Centuria specifically has been hard done by, Gerrish added.

    “Markets are prone to get too optimistic and too pessimistic on things, we think broadly the latter has played out with Centuria.”

    The Centuria share price has almost halved since the start of the year, and Gerrish did admit one weakness with the investment company.

    “CNI is at the higher end of the risk spectrum as they have made the decision not the hedge interest rate risk,” he said.

    “The Australian 10-year [bond] yield, for example, is down ~0.70% from its highs so this is working out okay so far. However, many of the other property companies have taken a more conservative route and spent large sums on hedging for certainty.”

    Who wants a drink?

    The Treasury Wine share price has enjoyed a nice 10% rally since early October.

    “We like TWE as a business. The company recently gave a good update and we think this has legs to rally further.”

    Gerrish noted costs for the current financial year are forecast to remain steady from the previous year, which is vital heading into a period of economic weakness.

    “They also have expectations of solid growth and EBITS margin expansion towards the 25%+ group target in FY23, which implies they have pricing power — an important element as rates rise.”

    The Market Matters team actually doesn’t hold Treasury Wine shares at the moment, but will pounce as soon as there’s a dip.

    “Any pull backs to the $13 region will be attractive.”

    Meanwhile, Gerrish is also a fan of UK banking group Virgin Money.

    “Virgin Money actually looks good following their last update. [We] could easily see it rallying into the mid $3s.”

    Virgin shares closed Wednesday at $3.05.

    The post ‘This has legs to rally’: Expert names 3 ASX shares that just hit the buy zone appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    *Returns as of November 7 2022

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    Motley Fool contributor Tony Yoo 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 Treasury Wine Estates Limited. 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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  • ‘Buy it for 5 years’: Jun Bei Liu’s 3 best ASX shares for 2023

    Fund manager Jun Bei LiuFund manager Jun Bei Liu

    Multiple experts are already tipping that 2023 will be a vastly different year to 2022 for ASX shares.

    This year, growth stocks have taken a beating as interest rates have risen sharply and inflation rages on. But next year the markets are looking forward to a reversal of that situation.

    So one expert reckons now is an opportune time to buy some to hold for the long run.

    “We are seeing a lot of value in local business, particularly [in] growth,” Tribeca portfolio manager Jun Bei Liu told Switzer TV Investing.

    “There’s just a lot of them being left behind.”

    Here are three ASX growth shares that Liu likes at the moment:

    Global expansion to drive growth

    Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) has already enjoyed a renaissance, with the share price rocketing 24.8% since 3 November.

    Liu sees the pizza maker as an excellent long-term investment.

    “You don’t buy Domino’s for next week’s earnings. You buy it for five years, and things are going pretty well for them.”

    Despite the rally this month, the stock is still historically cheap as it is 46% lower than where it started the year.

    The theme for the company is that it’s not Australians that are going to start eating more pizzas.

    “In Australia, it’s pretty mature,” Liu said.

    “What Domino’s has done is, globally, it’s rolling out more territories.”

    The business is “just ramping up the pace” in Europe, as well as expanding in Taiwan and Japan.

    “It’s the global expansion that’s going to drive growth.”

    This won’t slow down in a recession

    Some may perceive CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) as a defensive and “boring” stock, but it will certainly end up higher in a few years, according to Liu.

    Even though the biotech stock has also rallied 7% over the past month, relative to other investments the price is still tempting to her.

    “It still looks pretty good,” said Liu.

    “Even if we have a US recession or a global recession, it’s not going to slow down. It will grow double digits for the next three years.”

    Pricing power and sticky clientele

    Cloud accounting software maker Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) is facing much uncertainty with a new chief executive starting, and difficulties expanding in new markets.

    That anxiety has shown up in the share price, which has dipped 11% over the past month. For the year to date, the Xero stock price has more than halved. 

    According to Liu, investors also bid the stock down due to concerns about the slowing global economy.

    But Xero has already demonstrated to her that it has some resilience.

    “This company just put through some massive price increases… and the customers are still there,” Liu said.

    “And this is a penetration story [via] market expansion. The UK is still going very well.”

    The post ‘Buy it for 5 years’: Jun Bei Liu’s 3 best ASX shares for 2023 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 November 1 2022

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    Motley Fool contributor Tony Yoo has positions in CSL Ltd. and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL Ltd. and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Dominos Pizza Enterprises Limited. 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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  • Top ASX shares to buy in December 2022

    santa looks intently at his mobile phone with gloved finger raised and christmas tree in the background.santa looks intently at his mobile phone with gloved finger raised and christmas tree in the background.

    Is your ASX share portfolio lacking in Christmas cheer? Perhaps you’re hoping some sparkly new additions to your holdings will make for many happy returns in 2023.

    Or, maybe you’re just keen to jump aboard the possible ‘Santa Rally’, if ASX share prices do, indeed, enjoy a traditional festive boost in December.

    For their thoughts on which companies should be on your wish list, we asked our Foolish contributors to make a list and check it twice.

    These are the ASX shares they reckon will help make for a merry investment portfolio:

    8 best ASX shares for December 2022 (smallest to largest)

    • Shaver Shop Group Ltd (ASX: SSG), $145.42 million
    • Renascor Resources Ltd (ASX: RNU), $635.68 million
    • Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV), $2.53 billion
    • JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH), $4.89 billion
    • Carsales.com Ltd (ASX: CAR), $7.76 billion
    • Xero Limited (ASX: XRO), $10.44 billion
    • Mineral Resources Limited (ASX: MIN), $15.9 billion
    • Brambles Limited (ASX: BXB), $16.69 billion

    (Market capitalisations as of 30 November 2022)

    Why our Foolish writers love these ASX shares

    Shaver Shop Group Ltd

    What it does: Shaver Shop operates a network of shops across Australia and New Zealand as well as an established online channel. It’s a speciality retailer of male and female personal grooming products and also sells products relating to oral care, hair care, massage, air treatment, and beauty.

    By Tristan Harrison: According to Shaver Shop, it operates in a sector with a $10 billion total addressable market. By 2026, this market is forecast to grow to $12 billion. Furthermore, major brands stocked by Shaver Shop release new products every year, giving the ASX company more opportunities to sell the latest high-tech products.

    Shaver Shop is planning to continue growing its store network, increase its range, and grow its contribution from exclusive products. Currently, more than 50% of sales and around 60% of gross profit come from the company’s exclusive lines.

    FY23 sales to 6 November 2022 saw total sales growth of 13% year over year, with gross profit margins “consistently up” on the prior year.

    Shaver Shop shares are valued at just seven times FY24’s estimated earnings with a projected FY24 grossed-up dividend yield of 14.1%.

    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison does not own shares in Shaver Shop Group Ltd.

    Renascor Resources Ltd

    What it does: Renascor engages in the exploration of minerals such as graphite, as well metals including gold and copper, among others. It has projects located within South Australia.

    By Matthew Farley: Renascor has been announcing some positive developments of late. These included the company forecasting strong demand for its purified spherical graphite product.

    The materials explorer also recently received government approval to move ahead with plans for its Siviour Mine and Concentrator. According to Renascor, this brings it “another key step closer to becoming a producer of 100% Australian-made Purified Spherical Graphite”.

    Once fully operational, the company has the potential to produce up to 150,000 tonnes of graphite concentrates per annum.

    Despite some recent positive momentum, it should be noted that Renascor is currently unprofitable. The company was running at a $1.5 million loss for the trailing 12 months ending 30 June 2022.

    Loss-making companies are generally much riskier investments than those consistently generating earnings and profit, so caution should be exercised before jumping in. But for those who are prepared to carry the risk, I believe Renascor could be a speculative ASX investment worth considering.

    Motley Fool contributor Matthew Farley does not own shares in Renascor Resources Ltd.

    Lovisa Holdings Ltd

    What it does: Lovisa is a fashion jewellery retailer and, increasingly, a shopping centre staple. After starting out with a single Sydney store in 2010, Lovisa stores can now be found in 25 countries around the globe.

    By Brooke Cooper: ‘Tis the season for sparkles, whether they be lights in trees, bubbles in glasses, or shiny new trinkets. December has also turned my attention to retailer of sparkly things, Lovisa.

    The company has been doing particularly well this year. It was added to the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), has doubled its full-year profits, and most recently announced a strong start to this fiscal year.

    It’s also been growing its international footprint and dividends, increasing the latter by 95% in financial year 2022.

    And the future could be even brighter for the stock. UBS tips it to rise another 21% to $29, slapping it with a buy rating.

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

    JB Hi-Fi Limited

    What it does: JB Hi-Fi is a dominant retailer of electronics, home appliances and other consumables. Customers can choose from a wide range of goods at a JB Hi-Fi store, including mobile phones, computers and other tech, vinyl records, DVDs, televisions, refrigerators, and espresso machines.

    By Sebastian Bowen: Chances are at least some readers will be heading to a JB Hi-Fi store sometime this month, so we have a fitting choice for the festive season.

    I believe JB is one of the best-run retailers in the country. It has made an art of effortlessly pivoting to keep ahead of consumer trends, which explains why it sells more TVs than hi-fi equipment these days.

    JB’s share price has taken a hit over this year. And yet the company delivered an impressive set of full-year results back in August, reporting a 7.7% rise in net profits and a 52.8% lift in online sales.

    With an earnings multiple under 10 and a fully franked dividend yield over 7%, I think this ASX 200 retail share is the perfect stocking stuffer this December.

    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen does not own shares in JB Hi-Fi Limited.

    Carsales.com Ltd

    What it does: When it comes to buying or selling a car, there’s no doubt that carsales.com is one of Australia’s go-to websites. In fact, it’s ranked number one in Australia under the vehicles category according to Similarweb, boasting 15.1 million total site visits last month. The online classifieds company provides a digital marketplace for new and used cars in Australia and internationally.

    By Mitchell Lawler: The Carsales share price has been on the up and up since last month, rallying by more than 18%. Yet, the revved-up valuation still remains 11% discounted compared to where it was situated at the end of 2021.

    I’m bullish on Carsales’ future growth potential as it acquires the remaining 51% of US-based Trader Interactive. This move expands the company’s exposure to international markets, reduces its reliance on Australian operations, and opens the door to recreational vehicles and power sports consumers (non-automotive).

    I believe the sheer size of the US non-automotive market – double Australia’s automotive market – is a desirable proposition. This could ultimately provide a greater runway for growth over the coming decade.

    Motley Fool contributor Mitchell Lawler does not own shares in Carsales.com Ltd.

    Xero Limited

    What it does: Xero provides a cloud-based accounting software platform that connects small business owners with their numbers, their banks, and their advisors. It has 3.5 million subscribers and is a leader in cloud accounting across New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

    By James Mickleboro: With the Xero share price losing more than half its value in 2022, I think it is trading at a very attractive level for patient long-term investors. This is because I believe Xero is well-placed to continue its solid growth over the next decade, thanks to the quality of its platform, the structural shift to the cloud, and its significant global opportunity.

    At the end of the first half of FY 2023, Xero had amassed 3.5 million subscribers with a lifetime value of NZ$13 billion. The former compares to its total addressable market of 45 million subscribers globally. In addition, the company continues to squeeze more dollars out of each subscriber with price increases and its growing app ecosystem.

    Goldman Sachs appears to agree. It currently has a buy rating and $115 price target on its shares.

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro owns shares in Xero Limited.

    Mineral Resources Limited

    What it does: Mineral Resources is a diversified mining and mining services company. It has four business branches — iron ore, energy (gas), lithium, and mining services like crushing (in fact, it’s the world’s largest crushing contractor).

    By Bronwyn Allen: I like the business diversity in this ASX mining share. Mineral Resources doesn’t just dig stuff up; it provides services to other miners. What it does dig up are some of the world’s hottest commodities today – iron ore, lithium, and gas.

    I believe the company’s lithium business is especially attractive. Mineral Resources is a global top-five lithium producer, and now it’s investing heavily in the refining space. Electric vehicle (EV) pioneer Elon Musk describes refining as “like minting money” because it’s refined lithium that is required in EV batteries and demand is sky-high.

    Mineral Resources owns a stake in two of Australia’s largest hard-rock lithium mines. Its partners are Chinese lithium giant Ganfeng Lithium Group Co Ltd (SHE: 002460) and US lithium behemoth Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB).

    It commands a 29% market share of the world’s hard-rock supply. This company is an amazing growth story. It was listed on the ASX in 2006 with a market capitalisation of $100 million. Today it’s worth $16 billion. It claims to have delivered the second-highest total shareholder return (TSR) growth of the ASX 200, at 30% per annum since listing. It’s also increased its fully-franked dividends by 20% per annum for the past decade.

    Today, it has a lot of broker support. Goldman Sachs says buy and has a $96 share price target. It reckons Mineral Resources will triple its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in FY23. Macquarie says the company is valued at only four times its FY24 estimated earnings and could pay a grossed-up dividend yield of as much as 15.5% in FY24.

    Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen does not own shares in Mineral Resources Limited.

    Brambles Limited

    What it does: Brambles is a global transport and logistics company with operations in 60 countries and a market cap north of $16.5 billion. Its pallets and containers are used to transport goods across the world.

    By Bernd Struben: With inflation and interest rates likely to remain elevated in 2023, I like the outlook for companies with strong balance sheets that are able to pass on higher costs to their customers. And I believe Brambles ticks that box nicely.

    The analysts at Perpetual recently noted, “The transport and logistics company has been able to use its considerable pricing power and clout in the market as insulation from inflationary costs, while also being disciplined in recovering costs.”

    Despite the skyrocketing price of timber adding US$470 million to its pallet costs, Brambles achieved 14% year-on-year profit growth in 2021-22. The Brambles share price has gained 18% over 12 months. The stock pays a 2.7% dividend yield, partly franked.

    Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben does not own shares in Brambles Limited.

    The post Top ASX shares to buy in December 2022 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Lovisa Holdings Ltd and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended JB Hi-Fi Limited, Lovisa Holdings Ltd, Macquarie Group Limited, and carsales.com Limited. 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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  • 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

    Investor sitting in front of multiple screens watching share prices

    Investor sitting in front of multiple screens watching share prices

    On Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was on form again and charged higher following a softer than expected inflation reading. The benchmark index rose 0.4% to 7,284.2 points.

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

    ASX 200 expected to rise

    The Australian share market looks set to continue its winning streak on Thursday following a strong night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 13 points or 0.2% higher this morning. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is up 0.7%, the S&P 500 is up 1.5%, and the NASDAQ has risen 2.5%. Wall Street rebounded strongly from a shaky start after the US Fed suggested that smaller rate hikes could start this month.

    Oil prices storm higher

    Energy producers including Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a good day after oil prices charged higher on Wednesday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 3% to US$80.55 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 2.8% to US$85.38 a barrel. Tighter supply conditions boosted prices.

    BHP and Rio Tinto rise on Wall Street

    Mining giant’s BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) could have positive sessions on Thursday after rising on Wall Street overnight. In late trade in the United States, Australia’s largest miners are up 2.7% and 1% on the NYSE.

    Shares going ex-dividend

    A couple of ASX 200 shares are due to go ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower on Thursday. Fund manager Pendal Group Ltd (ASX: PDL) is trading ex-dividend for its 3.5 cents per share dividend and enterprise software company TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) is trading ex-dividend for its 10.8 cents per share dividend. Both dividends will be paid in approximately two weeks.

    Gold price higher

    Gold miners Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Regis Resources Limited (ASX: RRL) will be on watch after the gold price edged higher overnight. According to CNBC, the spot gold price is up 0.6% to US$1,774.2 an ounce. Gold is set for a 7% monthly rise, which would be its best month in two years. The prospect of interest rates increasing at a slower rate gave the precious metal a major lift in November.

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

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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 recommended Technology One. 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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  • Analysts name the ASX tech shares to buy right now

    Three analysts look at tech options on a wall screen

    Three analysts look at tech options on a wall screen

    Although the tech sector has fallen out of favour this year, I still believe the long term fundamentals are very positive and having exposure to the sector is a good thing for a portfolio.

    But which ASX tech shares should you buy? Two that analysts are tipping as buys are listed below. Here’s what you need to know about them:

    Altium Limited (ASX: ALU)

    The first ASX tech share to look at is Altium. It is the company behind the Altium Designer printed circuit board design (PCB) software.

    PCBs are the boards you find in electronic devices. They are integral to their operation and come in all shapes and sizes, which means that specialist software is required for their design.

    The good news is that Altium’s software is regarded as the best in the industry. A testament to this is the high profile companies and organisations using it such as BAE Systems, Dell, Microsoft, NASA, and Tesla.

    With demand increasing thanks to favourable tailwinds such as the IoT and AI booms, management is forecasting strong growth over the coming years. This includes growing its revenue to US$500 million by 2026. This will be more than double FY 2022’s revenue of US$220.8 million.

    The team at Jefferies appears confident on the company’s outlook. Its analysts currently have a buy rating and $42.32 price target on its shares.

    Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

    Another ASX tech share that has been tipped as a buy is Life360.

    It is a location technology company that operates in the digital consumer subscription services market. Its key offering is the eponymous Life360 app, which has over 40 million active users. This app offers families features such as communications, driver safety, and location sharing.

    Goldman Sach is very bullish on the company due to its massive market opportunity. It highlights that “Life360 is exposed to a US$12bn global TAM with a large opportunity to expand its product suite, grow average revenue per paying circle (ARPPC), increase payer conversion, and lift penetration rates outside of the US.”

    The broker currently has a buy rating and $7.50 price target on the company’s shares.

    The post Analysts name the ASX tech shares to buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Altium and Life360, Inc. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Altium and Life360, Inc. 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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  • Getting cold feet on ASX 200 lithium shares? Here’s why UBS ‘remains positive’

    A happy woman having a swim in a pool in the middle of a frozen lake.A happy woman having a swim in a pool in the middle of a frozen lake.

    November has been another volatile month for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) lithium share sector.

    Some of the biggest lithium miners have seen double-digit declines in recent times.

    The Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) share price is down more than 16% since 9 November 2022.

    Since 14 November 2022, the Allkem Ltd (ASX: AKE) share price has dropped by 17%.

    IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) shares have dropped around 8% since 14 November 2022.

    However, it has been a positive run for the miner Mineral Resources Limited (ASX: MIN). The share price has risen 3.5% since 14 November 2022, perhaps thanks to the rising iron ore price.

    Have we seen the peak for the ASX 200 lithium shares? One broker thinks that the future for these businesses is still compelling.

    UBS confident on the future

    According to reporting by The Australian, the analyst Dim Ariyasinghe from UBS said the broker still has long-term conviction with the outlook for lithium. Its view “remains strong” despite “short-run jitters”.

    The expert reportedly noted “near-term risks” relating to electric vehicle demand because of increasing uncertainty and disruption caused by COVID-19 cases in China. There is an expected cut of Chinese electric vehicle subsidies, as well as slowing demand for electric vehicles from the European Union and China.

    But, in promising commentary for lithium investors, the analyst said:

    However, our view on the medium-term and long-term remains positive and has actually increased due to additional policy support for EVs.

    Which ASX 200 lithium shares does the broker prefer?

    While all of the businesses may have operations in the lithium sector, they have different valuations, different growth plans and different financials.

    It was reported by the newspaper that of the four lithium miners in this article, two are rated as buys – Allkem and Mineral Resources.

    Next, the broker is neutral-rated on IGO shares, remembering that only part of this business is related to lithium mining.

    Finally, UBS has a sell rating on Pilbara Minerals shares. Keep in mind that the Pilbara Minerals share price has doubled over the past six months. The price target of $3.05 would represent a fall of around a third – but if the Pilbara Minerals share price dropped to $3 tomorrow it would still be up by 30% over the past six months.

    The post Getting cold feet on ASX 200 lithium shares? Here’s why UBS ‘remains positive’ appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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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  • Experts say these ASX 200 blue chip shares are buys

    a smiling woman sits at her computer at home with a coffee alongside her, as if pleased with her investments.

    a smiling woman sits at her computer at home with a coffee alongside her, as if pleased with her investments.If you are looking to bolster your portfolio with some blue chip ASX 200 shares, you may want to look at the two listed below.

    Here’s why these blue chip shares are highly rated by experts right now:

    REA Group Limited (ASX: REA)

    The first blue chip ASX 200 share to look at is REA Group. It is the leading player in online real estate listings in the Australian market with its realestate.com.au website.

    This website continues to dominate the local market, helping the company deliver a 16% increase in revenue to $305 million and an 11% lift in operating EBITDA to $131 million during the first quarter despite the housing market downturn.

    This was underpinned by 121.9 million average monthly visits during the period, which is 3.3 times more visits than the nearest competitor.

    Goldman Sachs was pleased with the update and remains bullish on the future. In response, the broker has retained its buy rating with a $159.00 price target on its shares.

    Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

    Another ASX 200 blue chip share that could be a top option for investors is Treasury Wine.

    It is one of the world’s leading wine companies and the owner of a portfolio of popular wine brands. The jewel in the crown is of course the Penfolds brand, which continues to generate significant sales for Treasury Wine even after being kicked out of China.

    Looking ahead, thanks to the success of its premiumisation strategy and strong demand in the United States, the team at Morgans believes the “foundations are now in place for TWE to deliver strong earnings growth from the 2H22 over the next few years.”

    Morgans has an add rating and $15.71 price target on its shares.

    The post Experts say these ASX 200 blue chip shares are buys appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 recommended REA Group Limited and Treasury Wine Estates Limited. 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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