The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we live, work, and shop. Restrictions are starting to lift, but normality may still be a while away. Our habits have changed, and some of these changes may be permanent. 

While in lockdown we’ve seen significant increases in online shopping, demand for remote working solutions, and home cooking. This has impacted consumer spending patterns and the way we interact with businesses. Some companies are better positioned for this shift than others. 

Certain products and industries are seeing increased demand. In some cases, these increases may be sustained. Suppliers of these products and services will benefit from these tailwinds in the months to come. 

So where do you invest if you want to survive (and thrive) in the coronavirus pandemic? We took a look at recent changes to find 4 ASX shares that are leveraged to these trends. 

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) 

First it was panic buying, then it was baking challenges. The major supermarkets have been the major beneficiaries of coronavirus buying trends. Along with competitors Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) and Metcash Limited (ASX: MTS), Coles has benefited from a surge in sales. 

In the March quarter, Coles reported a 12.4% increase in total sales which reached $9,226 million. Supermarket sales were up 13.1% which marks the 50th consecutive quarter of comparable sales growth for supermarkets. 

Liquor was negatively impacted by bushfire smog over capital cities and floods in January and February, before seeing the impact of COVID-19 later in the quarter. Still, liquor sales increased 7.2% over the quarter to $740 million. 

With the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, demand for online shopping surged, putting pressure on supply chains. Coles has leased 2 high-tech sheds in Sydney and Melbourne as it looks to automate its supply chain and speed up home deliveries. 

Last year, Coles entered a service agreement with Britain’s Ocado Group to bring an online grocery platform, fulfilment technology and home delivery solution to Australia. Online fulfilment automation is expected to improve customer service and reduce waste, as well as support employment opportunities at a time when many businesses are cutting or delaying investment. 

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P)

Buy now, pay later services have seen demand continue unabated through the coronavirus pandemic. Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) competitor Zip reported an 81% increase in monthly revenue in April, while customer numbers increased 66% to 2 million. 

Zip Co focuses on acquiring prime and near-prime customers with a revolving line of credit to finance their retail purchases. Merchants offering Zip include Amazon, Chemist Warehouse, Optus, Bunnings, and Big W. Merchant numbers increased 50% year-on-year in April, reaching 23,100. 

In April, monthly transaction volume increased to $181.6 million, an 86% increase year-on-year. Zip has reported that the start of May looks to be considerably stronger again by comparison to April. Managing Director Larry Diamond said, “our product differentiation and penetration into purchases for online, the home, and everyday categories, delivered robust transaction volume.”

Zip believes its success is due to the defensive nature of its model, which plays in many categories that customers are spending in. Its exposure to online has helped the business, as has the platform’s ability to allow users to pay bills and make purchases across groceries, retail and home. 

Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC)

Healthcare is non-negotiable, especially in the current environment. Ramsay Health Care is one of the largest hospital operators in Australia. Operating nearly 500 facilities across 11 countries, Ramsay Health Care has expanded its capacity significantly in the last couple of years. 

The hospital operator has finalised deals with the Queensland and Victorian Governments to make facilities available during the coronavirus pandemic. In return for maintaining full workforce capacity at its facilities, it will receive net recoverable costs for its services. 

Private hospitals took a revenue hit when the government cancelled certain elective surgeries. Under the new agreements with state governments, Ramsay Health Care will break even on earnings before interest and tax (EBIT). 

Ramsay Health Care undertook a capital raising in April in the face of an uncertain operating environment. The healthcare company raised $1.4 billion via a placement and share purchase plan. Proceeds of the raising were used to partially repay revolving debt facilities. 

Ramsay Health Care performed strongly prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, with revenue increasing 22.5% to $6.3 billion in H1FY20. Core net profit after tax (NPAT) of $273.6 million was recorded, up 3.4% on the prior corresponding period. Earnings per share increased 3.7% to 132.5 cents. 

Non-urgent elective surgeries are resuming following the lifting of the government ban on 27 April. In the longer term, Ramsay Health Care is likely to benefit from trends including the aging population and increased healthcare spending. 

Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) 

Xero provides cloud-based accounting software to small and medium businesses. Although many of its customers will have suffered in the downturn, they still have tax obligations so will continue to require accounting software. 

Xero’s product is sticky and boasts over 2 million subscribers. It is operating in an industry where structural growth is being driven by regulation and a broad-based shift to the cloud. Increased remote working is also likely to hasten this shift to the cloud. This could push more potential clients towards Xero’s solutions.

Xero releases its full-year financial results this month which will provide more clarity on how it has been impacted by COVID-19. The company was well-positioned prior to the crisis with a self-funding business model and strong balance sheet. 

Xero has established itself in a dominant Software-as-a-Service position in Australia and New Zealand. It also has a growing presence in the UK and US. Prior to the pandemic, Xero was seeing healthy growth in subscriber numbers. While this may slow in the near term, long term structural factors still work in Xero’s favour. 

More reading

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• 3 ASX 200 shares to watch this week
• Where to invest $20,000 into ASX shares for strong long term returns
• These ASX shares booked the biggest gains last week
• These ASX 200 shares are up over 1,000% in just 3 years

Kate O’Brien has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of ZIPCOLTD FPO. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO, COLESGROUP DEF SET, Woolworths Limited, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Ramsay Health Care Limited. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The post Buy these 4 ASX shares to survive the pandemic appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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The best ASX dividend shares for income are the only ones I’d trust to fund my life’s expenses.

I just don’t think that shares like Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) and Sydney Airport Holdings Pty Ltd (ASX: SYD) are going to cut it over the medium-term, particularly due to the coronavirus.

Here are three of the best ASX dividend shares for income in my opinion:

WAM Research Limited (ASX: WAX) 

I think, WAM Research is one of the best listed investment companies (LICs) that focuses on ASX shares. It’s run by Wilson Asset Management (WAM) and it targets small and medium undervalued companies where there’s a potential catalyst to boost the value of the company.

Over the past decade it has generated some of the best LIC gross investment returns. WAM Research has managed to do this whilst holding onto high levels of cash. It holds dozens of shares, so it has a diverse portfolio.

It has increased its dividend every year since the GFC and it still has an attractively large profit reserve so it can keep paying dividends. WAM Research currently has an annualised grossed-up dividend yield of 11.1%.

APA Group (ASX: APA) 

APA is one of the best ASX dividend shares in terms of how many years it has consecutively grown its income to shareholders. The distribution has grown every year for over a decade and a half, including through the GFC.

It owns a vast network of 15,000km of natural gas pipelines around Australia with a presence in every mainland state and the Northern Territory. It also owns or has interests in gas storage facilities, gas-fired power stations and renewable energy generation (wind and solar farms). APA owns, or manages and operates, a portfolio of assets worth more than $21 billion and delivers half the nation’s natural gas usage.

I’m excited by the prospect of the company looking at US opportunities. America is a large market there and earnings diversification would make the company an even safer income bet.

Using the 50 cents per unit distribution guidance, it currently offers a distribution yield of 4.3%.

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

I think Soul Patts could be the best ASX dividend share. It has grown its dividend every year since 2000 and has paid a dividend every year in its existence, which stretches back over a century.

The investment house funds its annual dividend just from the investment income it receives, less operating costs. The retained cash profit is re-invested into more long-term opportunities.

I believe some of its largest positions still have exciting medium-term growth prospects. The TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPM) merger with Vodafone Australia is exciting for all of the potential synergies and bigger dividends. Brickworks Limited (ASX: BKW) has a promising long-term future in the US from productivity improvements alone.

Soul Patts currently has a grossed-up dividend yield of 4.7%.

Is it time to buy the best ASX dividend shares?

If income is your only concern then I think all three could be a buy today. However, APA’s share price has recovered strongly and WAM Research is probably trading at an expensive premium. Soul Patts would be my preferred pick today for dividends and growth.

More reading

• Where I’d invest $1,000 into ASX shares right now
• 2 ASX shares that every investor should own
• 3 ASX dividend shares raising dividends like clockwork
• Why I’m even more confident about the Soul Patts share price
• How to make a $1 million share portfolio by investing $1,000 a month

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison owns shares of Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of APA Group. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The post 3 of the best ASX dividend shares for income appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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It’s not exactly breaking news to say we’re in the middle of a health pandemic.

And you don’t have to be a rocket surgeon to know that the economy has taken an almighty hit, as a result.

The good news — the good lord willing and the creeks don’t rise — is that the actions of the authorities (and maybe not just a little good fortune) mean the virus is largely controlled, and we’re on track to getting back to life-as-somewhat-normal, including a staged reopening of the economy.

I’ve never been afraid to have a dig at either side of politics, if they’ve deserved it, but the handling of this crisis — unlike the bushfires — has been very good. Sure, hindsight is 20/20, and there are things that could have been done differently, but the PM and Premiers have done a very good job.

What has been impressive is not only the actions taken, but the public presentation. In my (limited!) travels and conversations, people seem reassured and prepared to do their bit. Leadership is, in no small part, about being seen, and heard, and our state and federal leaders have done very well.

Which — and let’s not understate the importance of this — means we, as a country, can now turn our attention to the recovery, while others are still dealing with the fallout.

The reopening must be slow. It must be staged, and carefully calibrated. We’ve seen, from South Korea, what happens if we move too quickly: soon after bars and nightclubs were reopened, 27 people have tested positive from as little as one infected person spreading the virus. Bars and nightclubs are now closed again, there.

But just how sick is our economy?

What do governments need to do, now?

And what will the recovery look like?

Of course, I have a view. And I like to think it’s a reasonably informed one.

But I’m not an ex-chief economist of a Big 4 bank.

The good news is that Warren Hogan is!

Now Industry Professor at UTS, Warren has been an active participant in watching, modelling and commenting on the economy for his whole working life, in a number of different roles.

Warren had previously joined me for one of our most popular podcast episodes ever, earlier this year. At the time, if anyone was talking about Coronavirus, it was as a small, localised issue in China.

Almost four months later, to the day, it’s an understatement to say that things have changed.

So he’s back!

Warren was kind enough to agree to chat to me again late last week, and it was a fascinating conversation.

Some of my views were confirmed. He politely disagreed with others. I learned a lot.

It was a great conversation, and I think you’re really going to enjoy listening.

Warren touched on how he sees the economy right now, what he thinks the government should do next and, importantly, how he sees the recovery from here.

If you’re interested in the economic circumstances we’re in, and what the recovery might look like, you’re going to want to take a listen.

In short — you don’t want to miss it.

If you’re reading this on an iPhone, you can find a link to the podcast, here.

If you’re using an Android phone (or you’re reading this on a computer) just open your favourite podcast app and search ‘Triple M Motley Fool Money’. Warren’s episode was published last Thursday afternoon. If you need a suggestion for an Android-based podcast app, I use Pocketcasts. You can find it on the Google Play Store here.

(And, of course, don’t forget to subscribe while you’re there — we think you’ll like what’s coming up, so you don’t want to miss it!)

Have a great week, Fools!

More reading

• Why Advance Nanotek, Macquarie, Tyro, & Zip Co shares are charging higher
• Are ASX retail shares undervalued today?
• 3 ASX 200 shares to watch this week
• Why Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Graincorp, Polynovo, & SEEK are dropping lower
• ASX tourism shares on watch as government flags easing of coronavirus restrictions

Motley Fool contributor Scott Phillips has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The post An economist’s expectations for coronavirus and beyond appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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