ASX lithium shares have been the market darlings of 2022 but some brokers’ enthusiasm is starting to wane — at least on some of them.

Let’s take a look at which lithium shares remain in favour and which ones the experts recommend selling.

The ASX lithium shares to buy

According to The Australian, UBS reckons Allkem Ltd (ASX: AKE) is the pick of the ASX lithium shares right now. It has a buy rating on Allkem as well as Mineral Resources Limited (ASX: MIN).

According to the Australian Financial Review (AFR), Jarden Securities also likes Allkem and Mineral Resources.

Jarden rates Allkem a buy with a 12-month share price target of $17.71. That implies an upside of about 30% based on the closing Allkem share price of $13.65 on Wednesday. Allkem is up 3.41% today.

Jarden also has a buy rating on Leo Lithium Ltd (ASX: LLL) with a share price target of $1.19. That implies an upside of about 54% based on Leo Lithium’s closing share price of 54.5 cents, up 5.83% today.

Jarden also has an overweight rating on Mineral Resources shares. The Mineral Resources share price closed at $87.42 today, up 4.36% for the day.

The ASX lithium shares to sell

Both UBS and Jarden have sell ratings on Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS).

Many brokers have flagged recently that it’s probably time for investors to cash in on the meteoric rise of the Pilbara Minerals share price. It has almost doubled in value in just six months.

Today, Pilbara Minerals shares finished at $4.66, up 3.79%. Jarden has a 12-month share price target of $3.65 on the stock, implying a potential downside of 22%

Jarden also rates Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) shares a sell. The Core Lithium share price has crashed by 30% in 12 days.

However, even taking this recent decline into account, the shares are up by more than 110% in 2022 overall.

What’s going on with lithium prices?

As my Fool colleague Bernd writes today, investors are worried that lithium commodity prices are due for a correction. The mineral hit record prices earlier this month and they have gradually fallen since.

This is largely due to China, which is the world’s top producer of electric vehicles (EVs) and thus a big buyer of lithium.

Soaring COVID-19 cases in China, the government’s zero-COVID policy, ongoing lockdowns, and a slowdown in EV sales are causing market ructions for the commodity itself, as well as ASX lithium shares.

The post 2 ASX lithium shares to buy, and 3 to sell: brokers appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Getting cold feet on ASX 200 lithium shares? Here’s why UBS ‘remains positive’
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Here are the 3 most heavily traded ASX 200 shares on Wednesday
• Why has the Core Lithium share price crashed 30% in 12 days?
• Why this ASX 200 dividend share could be an income gold mine hiding in plain sight

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Allkem Limited and Core Exploration Ltd. 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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Wednesday was another good day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). It closed 0.43% higher at 7,284.2 points.

Leading its gains was the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ). It lifted 1.25% following a decent night for base metals. They pulled ahead amid news China vowed to ease some COVID-19 measures, CNN reports.

Gold futures also lifted 0.5% overnight to US$1,748.40 an ounce. Iron ore futures, however, slipped 0.2% to US$92.90 a tonne.

The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) also gained, rising 1.8% on Wednesday after a mixed night for oil prices.

The Brent crude oil price fell 0.2% to US$83.03 a barrel while the US Nymex crude oil price rose 1.2% to US$78.20 a barrel.

It wasn’t all sunshine across the market today, though. The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) and the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Index (ASX: XTJ) both slumped 0.25%.

All in all, six of the ASX 200’s 11 sectors closed higher on Wednesday. But which stock outperformed all others? Keep reading to find out.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Out in front come the final bell was the Sayona Mining Ltd (ASX: SYA) share price. It lifted 12% on Wednesday.

Today’s biggest gains were made by these shares:

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Sayona Mining Ltd (ASX: SYA)	$0.23	12.2%
Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC)	$10.04	8.42%
New Hope Corporation Limited (ASX: NHC)	$5.95	6.82%
Lake Resources NL (ASX: LKE)	$1.00	5.26%
IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO)	$15.40	4.69%
Coronado Global Resources Inc (ASX: CRN)	$2.11	4.46%
Mineral Resources Limited (ASX: MIN)	$87.42	4.36%
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp Ltd (ASX: FPH)	$21.96	4.13%
Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR)	$2.32	4.04%
Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS)	$4.66	3.79%

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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More reading

• Move over Pilbara! Fundie tips ASX 200 lithium stock with an ‘enormous expansion opportunity’ a buy
• Here are the 3 most heavily traded ASX 200 shares on Wednesday
• Why Ainsworth, Life360, Temple & Webster, and Whitehaven Coal are charging higher
• Why are ASX 200 coal shares burning brighter on Wednesday?
• Why did Telstra have a mediocre performance in November?

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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S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) bank shares put in a mixed performance in November.

As we head into the final hour of trade for the month, only three of the seven big bank stocks are in the green for the month.

In case you’re unfamiliar, the ASX 200 banks shares on our list are:

• Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX: ANZ)
• National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)
• Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)
• Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)
• Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ)
• Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN)
• Virgin Money UK PLC (ASX: VUK)

So, which three finished in positive territory? And which bank led the charge?

Read on.

The two runners up

Kicking off with the third-best performing ASX 200 bank share we have Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, which has a current market cap of $5.2 billion.

The bank closed out October trading for $9.01 per share and is currently trading for $9.14 per share, up 1.4% for the month.

Bendigo and Adelaide trades at a price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 12 times and pays a trailing dividend yield of 5.7%, fully franked.

The second-best ASX 200 bank share to have held in November is Commonwealth Bank of Australia. CBA shares closed on October 31 trading for $104.68. They are currently changing hands for $108.03, putting the CBA share price up 3.2% in November.

CBA trades at a PE ratio of 20.2 times and pays a fully franked trailing dividend yield of 3.5%.

Which brings us to…

The best-performing ASX 200 bank share in November

By far the best ASX 200 bank share to have had in your portfolio in November is…drum roll please…Virgin Money.

Virgin Money finished October trading for $2.44. Shares are currently trading for $3.04 apiece, putting the bank’s stock up an impressive 25% over the month.

Virgin Money trades on a PE ratio of 4.7 times with a trailing dividend yield of 5.6%.

Driving investor interest in November was an exceptionally strong full-year result for the 12 months ending 30 September.

Highlights from the report, released on 22 November, included a 43% increase in after-tax profit year on year. The bank’s final dividend reflected this profitability, with Virgin Money increasing its final dividend payout by 580% from the prior year.

And if that wasn’t enough to lift ASX 200 investor interest in the bank share, Virgin Money also announced an $89.5 million share buyback.

The post The 3 best-performing ASX 200 bank shares in November revealed appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Is a stock market crash coming for us in 2023?
• Why did the CBA share price jump to a 52-week high in November?
• Brokers name 2 ASX 200 dividend shares to buy in December
• The 10 ASX 200 shares responsible for 60% of all Aussie dividends last quarter
• Are Bank of Queensland shares a buy following the CEO’s shock ousting?

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 positions in and has recommended Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Westpac Banking Corporation. 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 been a bumper year for S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) lithium stocks, and none have commanded the attention like Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS).

But Shaw and Partners senior resource analyst Peter O’Connor sees more opportunity in another ASX 200 lithium share – IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO).

The analyst believes it’s a buy, saying the company could act as a hedge, representing future-facing commodities. Beyond lithium, IGO works in nickel, cobalt, and copper.

Let’s take a closer look at what the fundie likes about the often overlooked $11 billion ASX 200 lithium share. The IGO share price is $15.37 right now.

Is IGO a top ASX 200 lithium stock to buy?

Speaking with Market Matters’ James Gerrish, O’Connor outlined why he’s bullish on IGO:

[It has a] smart management team, good operators, great balance sheet, I like what they’re doing. And they’ve got an enormous expansion opportunity in the lithium asset in [Western Australia].

It is the best quality, longest life, highest grade asset in the lithium space.

The fundie also said he gives the company “the award for this decade, of the best [merger and acquisition] trader.”

Of course, referring to the company’s acquisition of the Tianqi joint venture and the sale of its Tropicana Gold Mine. Not to mention its takeover of Western Areas.

The Tianqi acquisition was said to be completed when lithium was trading for around US$400 a tonne. As of Pilbara Mineral’s latest auction, the material was trading for more than US$8,000 a tonne.

However, O’Connor warned that the stock will follow the commodity price, and right now 2023 looks likely to be a rough year for lithium:

It may be that the ramp-up of supply of lithium – which we know is too slow in the long term – but in the short term, it may just make it match to the demand slowing.

The post Move over Pilbara! Fundie tips ASX 200 lithium stock with an ‘enormous expansion opportunity’ a buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Is China responsible for decimating your ASX 200 lithium shares?
• Why is the Core Lithium share price in the red today?
• Why are ASX lithium shares getting slammed again on Monday?
• Here’s why ASX 200 lithium shares are ending the week with a fizzle
• What $10,000 in ASX lithium shares a year ago would be worth today

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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The Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) share price has gone up by around 6.6% in November, which compares to a 6% rise for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

It has been a solid period for a number of ASX shares, including Wesfarmers.

The business is the owner of a number of retail businesses that are recognisable in Australian shopping centres or on the main roads such as Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, Target and Priceline.

Inflation and rising costs remain a key factor

Investors are trying to weigh up how inflation and higher interest rates are going to impact earnings and what this could mean for the Wesfarmers share price.

The Australian Financial Review CFO Live Summit was held earlier this week, with the Wesfarmers chief financial officer Anthony Gianotti making an appearance. It was noted by the AFR that there is growing pressure on Wesfarmers to “keep prices steady and deliver for an increasingly value-conscious consumer”.

As noted by the newspaper, Wesfarmers is having to juggle a number of things such as changing capital costs, changing supplier costs and adjustments to industrial relations (IR).

Wesfarmers is trying to find the right level of passing on some costs to customers and trying to find efficiencies and savings so it can keep prices low to try and win market share.

According to the reporting, prices for materials for some of Wesfarmers’ products are starting to “normalise”, though higher than pre-COVID levels. But, it may take time before improvements in the supply chain issues flow to the wider economy.

Another factor is wage growth. The boss of Wesfarmers, Rob Scott, has reportedly been supportive of wage rises. Widespread wage growth could be a boost for Wesfarmers’ earnings.

October inflation not as strong as expected

Just before the end of the month, the AFR reported that annual inflation reduced to 6.9% in October, which was lower than the expected 7.6% figure.

It was reported that the less-than-expected increase was due to a decline in food prices, particularly fruit and vegetables, as well as holiday costs and accommodation.

However, the higher energy bills as well as the impacts of floods on grocery prices weren’t reflected in the inflation number yet.

The BetaShares chief economist David Bassanese was quoted saying:

Underlying inflation pressures appear to be cresting. At face value, this strengthens the case for the RBA to consider a potential pause in its rate hike campaign after next week’s likely eighth rate hike this year.

Investors becoming more optimistic on the Wesfarmers share price

The broker UBS recently increased its price target on Wesfarmers to $56, which represents a potential rise of around 15%. It thinks businesses like Kmart and Bunnings can excel during this difficult period.

On the broker’s numbers, Wesfarmers shares are valued at 22 times FY23’s estimated earnings.

The post The Wesfarmers share price had a strong run in November appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• Why I’m buying ASX shares in this once-in-a-lifetime market to try and retire early
• The 10 ASX 200 shares responsible for 60% of all Aussie dividends last quarter
• Broker says these top ASX 200 dividend shares are buys
• Are Wesfarmers shares a buy for portfolio diversification?

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 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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It’s been another day of gains, if tentative ones, for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) so far this Wednesday. At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is up by 0.19% to just under 7,270 points. This comes after the ASX 200 initially opened in the red this morning.

But let’s dive a little deeper into these market gyrations by checking out the ASX 200 shares currently topping the share market’s trading volume charts, according to investing.com.

The 3 most traded ASX 200 shares by volume this Wednesday

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

First up today is the ASX 200 telco Telstra. So far this Wednesday, a notable 13.18 million Telstra shares have been phoned home. There’s been no new developments or announcements out of the company today. Saying that, we have seen a big drop in the value of the telco’s shares today thus far.

At present, the Telstra share price is down by a nasty 1.12% at $3.955 a share. Given Telstra’s relatively low share price compared to its size, this move is probably enough to elicit the volumes we are seeing.

Nearmap Ltd (ASX: NEA)

Next up today we have ASX 200 aerial mapping company Nearmap. In a rare appearance on this list, Nearmap has watched as a hefty 14.32 million of its shares have chartered their way to new owners this session. Nearmap is in the midst of a takeover offer from Thoma Bravo.

This suitor has offered to acquire Nearmap in full for a price of $2.10 a share. Nearmap shares have now climbed more than 6% over the past week to reach that takeover price today. All of this drama is probably behind the volumes we are seeing.

Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS)

Finally today we have ASX 200 lithium share Pilbara Minerals to discuss. So far this Wednesday a whopping 28.84 million Pilbara shares have changed owners. With this company, we haven’t had any fresh news out either. However, this session has seen some rather bouncy share price moves.

Pilbara initially opened in the red this morning, sinking as low as $4.41 a share. But investors seem to have improved their outlook on the lithium leader as the day has progressed. Pilbara shares are now up a healthy 1.45% to $4.56 each. These swings have probably resulted in the high volumes we are witnessing. 

The post Here are the 3 most heavily traded ASX 200 shares on Wednesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Why are ASX 200 coal shares burning brighter on Wednesday?
• Why did Telstra have a mediocre performance in November?
• Is a stock market crash coming for us in 2023?
• ASX 200 lifts on lower-than-forecast inflation data
• Woolworths shares: To buy or not to buy?

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Telstra Corporation Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Nearmap Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Corporation 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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If you’re wanting to boost your retirement income with some dividend shares, then you might want to consider the two listed below.

Here’s what you need to know about these ASX dividend shares:

Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1)

The first ASX dividend share for income investors to look at is footwear retailer Accent.

It has been tipped as a buy by analysts at Bell Potter. The broker has put a buy rating and $2.10 price target on its shares.

In response to a recent trading update, the broker commented:

Accent Group (AX1) provided a trading update for the first 18 weeks of FY23, Group owned sales +52% on pcp and Gross margins +570bps vs down 700bps in the pcp. We see this as a solid start and expect AX1 to be well positioned as tougher comps are faced in Nov/Dec. We view the performance into the key seasonal period to be supported by the company’s healthy inventory position as per company’s commentary.

Bell Potter is expecting this positive start to the year to underpin fully franked dividends of 10 cents per share in FY 2023. It then expects further growth in FY 2024 to lead to a 12 cents per share dividend in FY 2024. Based on the current Accent share price of $1.79, this would mean yields of 5.6% and 6.7%, respectively,

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

Another ASX dividend share that could boost your retirement income is Coles. It is of course one of the big two supermarket operators and the owner of a large liquor store network.

The team at Morgans is positive on the company. In response to its recent first quarter update, the broker retained its add rating with a $19.50 price target.

Its analysts were pleased with the company’s performance during the quarter, noting that it was ahead of expectations. Based on this performance, the broker believes Coles’ shares are attractively price. It commented:

Supermarkets LFL sales increased 2.1% (vs MorgansF -1.2%) despite cycling heightened COVID-related sales in the pcp and customers returning to dining out at cafes and restaurants.

Trading on 20.6x FY23F PE and 4.0% [now 3.75%] yield, we continue to see COL as offering good value with the company’s solid balance sheet and defensive characteristics putting it in a good position to navigate through a weaker economic environment. The unwinding of local shopping should also help further market share gains.

Morgans is forecasting fully franked dividends of 64 cents per share dividend in FY 2023 and 66 cents per share dividend in FY 2024. Based on the current Coles share price of $17.01, this will mean yields of 3.75% and 3.85%, respectively, for investors.

The post Boost your retirement income with these ASX dividend shares: analysts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why I’m buying ASX shares in this once-in-a-lifetime market to try and retire early
• Broker says these top ASX 200 dividend shares are buys
• Battle of the dividends: Do Woolworths shares pay more than Coles?
• Almost ready to retire? Here’s why I’d buy Coles shares for dividends
• Why did ASX 200 retail shares lead the market to fresh 25-week highs today?

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 positions in and has recommended COLESGROUP DEF SET. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Accent Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on form again on Wednesday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is up 0.3% to 7,275.6 points.

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

Ainsworth Game Technology Limited (ASX: AGI)

The Ainsworth Game Technology share price is up 6.5% to $1.28. This morning, analysts at Macquarie responded to the gaming technology company’s recent trading update by putting an outperform rating and $1.40 price target on its shares. Macquarie was pleased with its forecast of $18 million in profit before tax pre-currency and one-offs for the six months ending 31 December 2022.

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

The Life360 share price is up 5.5% to $6.38. This appears to have been driven by a broker note out of Bell Potter this morning. According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating and $9.00 price target on this location technology company’s shares. Bell Potter continues to believe that Life360 will deliver on its guidance in FY 2022.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

The Temple & Webster share price is up 12% to $5.19. This follows the release of the online furniture and homewares retailer’s trading update at its annual general meeting. While Temple & Webster’s revenue is down 14% for the four months to 27 November, it revealed that month to date revenue is flat. Management believes that this positions the company for a return to double digit growth during FY 2023.

Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC)

The Whitehaven Coal share price is up 9% to $10.11. Investors have been buying this coal miner’s shares following a rise in the coal price and the release of a couple of bullish broker notes. One of those notes came from Bell Potter, which has upgraded Whitehaven Coal’s shares to a buy rating with an improved price target of $11.00.

The post Why Ainsworth, Life360, Temple & Webster, and Whitehaven Coal are charging higher appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Why are ASX 200 coal shares burning brighter on Wednesday?
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• Why is the Whitehaven share price surging 7% on Wednesday?
• Temple & Webster share price rockets 15% on ‘good sign’
• Broker says this ASX 200 coal share could offer a market-beating 29% return in 2023

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Life360, Inc. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Life360, Inc. and Temple & Webster Group Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Temple & Webster Group Ltd. 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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I knew I shouldn’t have tweeted about crypto.

I mean, seriously, what did I expect?

There are believers. There are zealots. And then there are crypto investors.

And didn’t they let me know.

There is no certainty like that possessed by a crypto fan.

Where ‘fan’ doesn’t even start to describe it.

(It’s at this point I need to apologise to our Member Services team for all of the angry emails they’re about to get!)

But, truth be told, I knew what to expect, but I waded in, anyway.

And I don’t regret it, even though the replies were, at least to some extent, exactly what I expected they’d be.

I don’t regret it, because my tweet was in response to an ABC article covering the problems faced by a couple who’d invested 25% of their self-managed Super in cryptocurrencies through a platform that’s now frozen their funds.

And while the article was ostensibly about the platform, my tweet was broader.

It is my view that cryptocurrencies should not be an allowable investment in Superannuation in general and SMSFs in particular.

Yes, them’s fighting words.

And no, I don’t resile from them for a second.

Many, perhaps most, respondents agreed with me.

Of those who didn’t, there were roughly two, meaningfully overlapping, camps.

The first are the true believers. The ones who believe they’re in possession of the unalienable truth when it comes to cryptocurrencies. Oh, and also perfect foresight.

They just know that crypto is the future.

And so, obviously, investing in it is a no-brainer.

No, I don’t know where they get their crystal balls from, either, but man I want one.

To be that sure about anything is remarkable. They’d put the Pope to shame for faith.

But to be that sure, about a technology that’s in its infancy?

And, even more than that, to assume they can flawlessly estimate its future value?

That’s impressive!

I’m being sarcastic, just in case it’s not clear.

The second group?

They’re the libertarians.

“We already have too much regulation… if we do this, we’ll end up with tyranny.”

Now, I didn’t realise that the prescription of suitable Superannuation assets was the only thing standing between us and tyranny, but there we go.

“First they came to tell me what I could invest in, inside an already regulatorily restricted retirement fund…”

Okay, you lot, settle down.

I’m sure there are some crypto fans and libertarians reading this.

And I can tell you that some of them aren’t slow in telling me when I’ve offended them.

So let me say now – to try to lighten the load on Member Services as well as to be clear – I’m having some fun with you.

I’m using a little hyperbole and humour to make a point.

So let me tone it down a little and get back to the issues.

First, you don’t have to be ‘anti’-crypto to think it’s not an appropriate asset for Superannuation.

It is simply too early in its life as an asset, with too unknowable a future value.

It is simply too speculative an asset to be something that I think belongs in a retirement portfolio.

(At least for the foreseeable future, and that can always change, in time.)

And the regulation thing?

It’s pretty simple: Superannuation is already highly regulated. Its use is restricted, the contributions are legally mandated.

Not only that, but the use of Super, from a public policy perspective, is clear – it’s to provide retirement savings and income, and to consequently lighten the burden on the public purse.

It should follow, then, that regulation that ensures Super meets those two requirements, is almost a no-brainer.

I’m not saying people should be restricted from investing in crypto outside Super.

And I’m not saying that those who worry about how much regulation we live with don’t have a point.

But we can afford to – we have an obligation to – use a little nuance here.

Zero regulation isn’t an option in our society. So we should regulate judiciously, and I think this is a worthy cause.

And yes, people are entitled to use their own money as they see fit. But Super isn’t ‘my money’. It’s restricted money, held by trustees, for my future benefit. And that should involve a little conservatism and the avoidance of speculation that could risk my nest egg or an unnecessary imposition on the Federal Budget.

I don’t expect everyone to like the idea. The true believers will hate it. The libertarians will hate it.

I can live with that.

Because I think it’ll be better, overall, for the Superannuation system, and for those fund members who could be saved from future losses.

Oh, and it’s not the only thing I’d change about Super.

But I reckon it’d be a good start.

Now, fire at will!

(But, seriously, be nice to our hard-working Member Services team. Rude or abusive emails get deleted, so don’t waste your time.)

Fool on!

The post Crypto in Super? No way! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Scott Phillips 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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In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record another gain. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up 0.2% to 7,269.2 points.

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

Bubs Australia Ltd (ASX: BUB)

The Bubs share price has continued its slide and is down a further 1.5% to 29 cents. This morning, analysts at Bell Potter retained their speculative hold rating and slashed their price target on the struggling infant formula company’s shares by 22% to 35 cents. This follows a trading update which revealed that half year revenue is expected be flat despite delivering strong first quarter growth and the much-hyped US expansion.

Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF)

The Collins Foods share price is down a further 4% to $7.73. Investors have been selling this quick service restaurant operator’s shares since the release of its half year results. Collins Foods revealed solid top line growth but significant margin weakness. Unfortunately, the latter is expected to remain in the second half. Though, it is worth noting that Morgans sees value in Collins Foods’ shares after these declines. This morning it retained its add rating with a $9.50 price target.

Dusk Group Ltd (ASX: DSK)

The Dusk share price is down 9% to $1.87. This follows the release of a trading update from the speciality retailer. Dusk revealed that total sales for the first 19 weeks of FY 2023 were up 23.9% on the prior corresponding period. This is a slowdown from 33.2% growth reported for the first 8 weeks of the financial year.

Mayne Pharma Group Ltd (ASX: MYX)

The Mayne Pharma share price is down 19% to 22 cents. This has been driven by the release of a disappointing trading update at the pharmaceutical company’s annual general meeting. For the four months ended 31 October, Mayne Pharma’s revenue from continuing operations came to $59 million. This is down 29.5% over the prior corresponding period.

The post Why Bubs, Collins Foods, Dusk, and Mayne Pharma shares are falling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• Why is this ASX All Ords share crashing 27% today?
• 2 absolute bargain ASX shares to buy right now: analyst
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• Why Bubs, City Chic, Collins Foods, and Queensland Pacific Metals are sinking today

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Collins Foods Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Collins Foods Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BUBS AUST FPO, Collins Foods Limited, and Dusk Group 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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