• Why did this ASX nickel share surge 11% today?

    happy mining worker fortescue share pricehappy mining worker fortescue share price

    The Panoramic Resources Ltd (ASX: PAN) share price shot up on Tuesday on the back of a positive drilling update.

    The ASX nickel share finished the day at 36.5 cents, a 10.61% gain. In contrast, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) climbed 0.19% today.

    Let’s take a look at why this ASX nickel share had such a stellar day.

    ‘Standout’ drill results

    Panoramic reported promising drill results from the company’s Savannah Nickel Project in Western Australia.

    The company said the “standout” drill result was drill hole KUD1891. This returned an upper and lower mineralisation lens intersection of 40.55m at 1.96% Nickel, 0.75% copper, and 0.15% cobalt.

    Drill hole KUD1871 returned upper mineralisation lens intersection of 16 metres at 2.08% nickel, 0.8% copper, and 0.16% cobalt. Meanwhile, drill hole 1874 delivered an intersection of 1.93% nickel, 1.01% copper, and 0.14% cobalt.

    The company said these intersections were both thicker and higher grade than predicted.

    Managing director and CEO Victor Rajasooriar said the results provide strong confidence in the company’s life of the mine plan and the future of the Savannah Nickel Operation. He added:

    The continued success of drilling in the new Upper Splay in the Eastern Zone of Savannah North may also add to our mining inventory which is also very pleasing.

    We look forward to announcing more drill results from both areas in due course.

    Share price snapshot

    The Panoramic share price has soared 170% in the past year while it is up 35% year to date.

    In contrast, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has returned about 10% in the past year.

    Panoramic has a market capitalisation of about $748.6 million based on its current share price

    The post Why did this ASX nickel share surge 11% today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Panoramic Resources right now?

    Before you consider Panoramic Resources , you’ll want to hear this.

    Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Panoramic Resources wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

    *Returns as of January 13th 2022

    More reading

    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 Bruce Jackson.

    from The Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/ePwa6YL

  • Is the NAB share price fully valued in April?

    Buy and sell keys on an Apple keyboard.

    Buy and sell keys on an Apple keyboard.

    The National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) share price has risen by 9% in 2022 to date.

    It has gone through volatility over the last few months, like many businesses. But NAB shares show ongoing growth over longer time periods.

    In the past six months, the NAB share price has gone up by 16%. In the last 12 months, the NAB share price has risen by around 22%. 

    But after outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) over each of the above time periods, is the big four ASX bank now fully valued or is it still an opportunity?

    Broker opinions on the NAB share price

    Lots of analysts now think that the bank offers very little capital growth upside. A few have price targets that are lower than where NAB is today.

    For example, both Morgans and Citi have a price target of $30.50. That implies a decline of around 5% over the next year if the brokers are right. However, they have ratings of a hold and neutral on the big four ASX bank.

    Morgan Stanley is another broker that doesn’t think the NAB share price will do much over the next 12 months. It has a price target of $31.50 on the bank. That suggests a possible decline of around 2% over the next 12 months.

    Credit Suisse is a broker which has a slightly positive outlook for the bank, which is also neutral, with a price target of $32.40. This broker thinks that banks are going to benefit once the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) starts increasing the interest rate. The broker thinks the net interest margin (NIM) will increase over the next year.

    One of the most positive brokers is Ord Minnett. It has a NAB share price target of $33.50. That implies a potential rise of 4.3% in the next year.

    Share buyback 

    One of the things that brokers have noticed is the bank’s recent share buyback.

    NAB recently completed a $2.5 billion on-market buyback and announced a further on-market buyback of up to $2.5 billion.

    This will allow the bank to continue managing its common equity tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio towards its target range of between 10.75% to 11.25% over time.

    The NAB CEO Ross McEwan said:

    Our capital management strategy reflects the importance of maintaining a strong balance sheet through the cycle while allowing us to continue to support growth and deliver improved shareholder returns.

    The further $2.5 billion on-market buy-back announced today supports our ambition to reduce share count and increased sustainable ROE (return on equity) benefits to our shareholders.

    NAB share price snapshot

    After the 0.3% increase on Tuesday, NAB has a market capitalisation of $103 billion according to the ASX.

    The post Is the NAB share price fully valued in April? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in NAB right now?

    Before you consider NAB, you’ll want to hear this.

    Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and NAB wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

    *Returns as of January 13th 2022

    More reading

    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 Bruce Jackson.

    from The Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/EwmDiLH

  • What is the highest the ASX 200 has ever been?

    a man in a business suit climbs on a ladder near the peak of a mountain shrouded in cloud with the top of the mountain resembling a dollar sign with a blue sky glowing above it.

    a man in a business suit climbs on a ladder near the peak of a mountain shrouded in cloud with the top of the mountain resembling a dollar sign with a blue sky glowing above it.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed yet another day of gains on the markets on Tuesday, albeit with a dent at the end of the trading day. The ASX 200 ended up finishing at 7,527.9 points, up 0.19%.

    This gain is just the latest chapter in what has been a very successful month for the index. Over the past month, the ASX 200 has now gained a healthy 6.95%. And although the index is still in the red for 2022 so far, its fall is only under 1%. That’s not a bad turnaround for an index that had shed almost 10% of its value by the end of January.

    But now that the ASX 200 has staged such a robust recovery and is back above 7,500 points, many investors might be wondering how long we have to go until we are once again at a record high.

    So how high has the ASX 200 Index ever been?

    Well, the ASX 200’s current high watermark is 7,632.8 points. That’s the peak we saw back in mid-August last year. Prior to that date, the index had been on a tear, rising more than 15% between the start of 2021 and the record high. It was only in May 2021 that the index exceeded its previous, pre-COVID, all-time high too. But, as is obvious, the share market has more or less treaded water ever since.

    Even so, the rally we have seen since early March would, no doubt, be encouraging for ASX investors. Now, there are only another 104.9 points, or 1.39%, of gains left before we’re once again at a record high for the ASX 200. Let’s see how long it takes to get there!

    The post What is the highest the ASX 200 has ever been? 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.

    *Returns as of January 12th 2022

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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 Bruce Jackson.

    from The Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/RhspNvk

  • Is a bubble forming for ASX green metals shares?

    a woman with bright artificially coloured hair blows a large bubble gum bubble from her mouth with her eyes wide open and holding her hands either side of it.a woman with bright artificially coloured hair blows a large bubble gum bubble from her mouth with her eyes wide open and holding her hands either side of it.

    ASX green metals are in demand lately, but could a bubble be forming in the green metals sector?

    So-called ‘green metals’ are those used in cleaner-energy applications. Such shares on the ASX include Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS), Firefinch Ltd (ASX: FFX), and Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN). Others include Centaurus Metals Limited (ASX: CTM) and Liontown Resources Limited (ASX: LTR).

    So what is the outlook for ASX green metals shares?

    Green metal transition

    Green metals are metals that will be prominent in the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. They include lithium, graphite, rare earths, nickel, and copper.

    Asked if a bubble could be developing in the sector, Argonaut Natural Resources Fund portfolio manager David Franklyn told the Australian Financial Review:

    The green materials sector is certainly volatile, which in part reflects the fact that demand is rising quicker than supply. This has been evident in the huge increase in spodumene prices and the spike in nickel prices.

    Against that backdrop, it’s not unexpected that the sector may attract speculative money whilst also making the valuation of stocks more problematic.

    A stock market bubble can form when there is a significant surge in share prices beyond the fundamental value of the companies.

    Franklyn noted there has been a strong rebound of multiple lithium stocks in March, including Pilbara and Firefinch.

    Share price recap

    The Pilbara Minerals share price has soared 26% in a month while Firefinch has rocketed 73%. Meanwhile, Mineral Resources has gained 24%, Liontown Resources has leapt 28%, and Centaurus Metals has surged 17%.

    In contrast, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has jumped just under 6% in a month.

    The post Is a bubble forming for ASX green metals shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

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

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

    *Returns as of January 12th 2022

    More reading

    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 Bruce Jackson.

    from The Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/IP6sqJ4

  • Here are the 5 best-performing ASX exchange-traded funds over the March quarter

    ETF on white blocks with a rising arrow on top of coin piles.

    ETF on white blocks with a rising arrow on top of coin piles.Yesterday, we took a look at the ASX’s worst-performing exchange-traded funds (ETFs) over the quarter just ended. The three months to 31 March was a relatively volatile period for ASX shares, even though the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) ended up recording a gain of 0.7% for the quarter. 

    But now it’s time to check out the ASX ETFs that shone during the three months just gone. So here are the ASX’s best ETFs of the March quarter. See if you can spot a theme. 

    The 5 best-performing ASX ETFs of the March quarter

    VanEck Gold Miners ETF (ASX: GDX)

    This ETF from VanEck does exactly what it says on the tin. GDX invests in a portfolio of global gold miners. The ASX’s Newcrest Mining Ltd (ASX: NCM) is there, but so are internationally-based companies like Newmont Corp and Barrick Gold. GDX gave investors a healthy 17.25% return over the March quarter.

    BetaShares Australian Resources Sector ETF (ASX: QRE)

    BetaShares runs this resources ETF. QRE invests in ASX’s metals, mining and energy shares. You’ll find everything from BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) to Newcrest Mining and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) here. As well as some smaller miners like Nickel Mines Ltd (ASX: NIC) and Liontown Resources Limited (ASX: LTR). QRE returned 17.77% over the quarter just passed. 

    SPDR S&P/ASX 200 Resources Fund (ASX: OZR)

    This ETF from State Street Global Advisors is a very similar ETF in scope and composition to QRE, which explains its near-identical return. It also invests in the ASX’s metals, mining and energy shares. You’ll find virtually the same companies in this ETF as the BetaShares fund. OZR had a corker of a quarter, rising 17.82% over the three months to 31 March.

    BetaShares Global Energy Companies ETF (ASX: FUEL)

    Here we have yet another resources-based ETF. But this one is a little different to the previous two funds. FUEL only invests in energy shares, or oil and gas companies. But this ETF is globally-based, and not just confined to the ASX. You’ll find energy giants like Chevron, Exxon Mobil, BP and Royal Dutch Shell here. This fund returned a pleasing 24.04% over the March quarter. 

    BetaShares Crude Oil Index ETF (ASX: OOO)

    Our final and best performing ASX exchange-traded fund of the March quarter is this fund from BetaShares. OOO is an ETF that tracks the price of oil futures, and not individual companies. As such, its investors have benefitted enormously from the rise in oil prices that we’ve seen in recent months. OOO returned a whopping 39.26% over the three months to 31 March. 

    The post Here are the 5 best-performing ASX exchange-traded funds over the March quarter 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.

    *Returns as of January 12th 2022

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen owns Chevron and Newcrest Mining Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended BetaShares Global Energy Companies ETF – Currency Hedged. 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 Bruce Jackson.

    from The Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/oUcCpRq

  • Is this why the Temple & Webster share price surged over 6% today?

    a woman sits amid a stylish home setting on a sofa with plush cushions with a coffee table and plant in the foreground while she peruses a tablet device.

    a woman sits amid a stylish home setting on a sofa with plush cushions with a coffee table and plant in the foreground while she peruses a tablet device.

    The Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) share price went up by more than 6% on Tuesday to $7.05 a share. But what might have sent the business higher today?

    Temple & Webster is one of the fast-growing e-commerce ASX shares. In the company’s recent FY22 half-year result, it reported revenue of $235.4 million, which was a 218% increase compared to the first half of FY20.

    Investors may have been responding to a new report finding e-commerce sales are expected to keep growing strongly. The forecast comes from one organisation that is close to the online shopping boom.

    Australia Post’s e-commerce report

    In its 2022 e-commerce industry report, Australia Post said that it is enabling small and medium businesses to pivot to online shopping with its 4,300-strong post office network.

    The delivery business says that there are now 9.2 million Australian households shopping online.

    “It’s evident the pandemic has changed the way we shop, and new habits formed over the past two years are now firmly ingrained,” the report said.

    Australia Post suggests that retailers need to offer a great end-to-end customer experience, saying it’s paramount to growing and maintaining a loyal customer base.

    Certainly, Temple & Webster says that it wants to offer customers a strong proposition. It aims to do this by being a trusted brand, offering a large range of quality products and a great user experience to attract customers, grow its conversion rate, and increase customer satisfaction. Its active customers grew 34% to 906,000 in HY22 and revenue per active customer grew 10%.

    Australia Post also suggested that retailers need to know every detail of their products and provide thorough information, supported by images, video, or even virtual reality.

    Temple & Webster has been investing in data and technology. It has a 3D/augmented reality offering to complement existing 2D imagery on its product pages. The company is currently testing a number of augmented reality cases using 3D images. Its goal is to have the largest 3D catalogue of furniture and homewares in Australia. This could impact the Temple & Webster share price over the longer-term.

    Australia Post also made the following comments about where it expects e-commerce spending to go:

    Looking ahead, we expect online shopping to continue to grow much faster than physical retail. It’s clear Australians have grown to love the ease and convenience of buying online and are likely to continue doing so regularly throughout 2022.

    Australia Post also cited a survey where 93% of respondents said that they’ll maintain or increase their online shopping activity in 2022.

    E-commerce sales to double?

    According to reporting by the Australian Financial Review, Australia Post’s CEO expects online shopping revenues to double over the next five years compared to the $62.3 billion it earned last year.

    Australia Post CEO Paul Graham said:

    81% of all households shopp[ing] online is an amazing statistic but still shows we are not as penetrated as Europe or the United Kingdom, so there is still upside to go.

    We are still lagging global trends in terms of the total online spend and the purchasing frequency. If you take South Korea, 53% of shoppers are buying at least weekly, which is more than double Australia’s figure of 25%, so there is still significant growth to come for the Australian market.

    Temple & Webster share price snapshot

    Despite today’s jump, the Temple & Webster share price is still down 35% in 2022.

    The post Is this why the Temple & Webster share price surged over 6% today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Temple & Webster right now?

    Before you consider Temple & Webster, you’ll want to hear this.

    Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Temple & Webster wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

    *Returns as of January 13th 2022

    More reading

    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. owns and has recommended 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 Bruce Jackson.

    from The Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/t1edARQ

  • The IAG share price has dumped 5% in 2 weeks. What’s happening?

    Disappointed man with his head on his hand looking at a falling share price his a laptop.Disappointed man with his head on his hand looking at a falling share price his a laptop.

    The Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) share price has had a rough run over the last couple of weeks, driven by news regarding 2 major legal battles.

    The company has released updates on both February’s second business interruption test case and a legal suit brought against it in the Federal Court.

    As of Tuesday’s close, the IAG share price is $4.40. That’s 4.55% lower than it was a fortnight ago.

    For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index(ASX: XJO) has gained 2.54% in that time.

    Let’s take a closer look at the news that’s been weighing on the insurance giant’s stock lately.

    What’s been dragging the IAG share price lower?

    Second business interruption test case

    The IAG share price has been slipping since it released an update on the second business interruption test case 2 weeks ago.

    In that update, the company noted that the 28-day deadline for policyholders to lodge an application to seek leave to appeal the judgment from the Federal Court, handed down on 21 February, had passed.

    It stated that some policyholders had appealed for special leave regarding some aspects of the judgement. Additionally, IAG had filed an application for special leave to appeal the finding on JobKeeper payments.

    IAG stated that it believes a release from the provision will go ahead. The company said that will probably be recognised over time.

    However, it’s not adjusting its $1,222 million net provision for business interruption claims. Though, it said it will adjust its predicted claims costs and provision accordingly as more certainty emerges.

    The IAG share price slipped 1.3% on the release of the update.

    Plot twist in Greensill drama

    Though, the IAG share price was in the green yesterday following a plot twist regarding claims made against it in the Federal Court, reportedly worth nearly $300 million.

    The company is battling against claims that it’s liable to payout insurance policies connected with the now-defunct Greensill Capital.

    The insurance policies were covered by Bond and Credit Co, of which IAG used to own a 50% stake. It sold the stake to Tokio Marine in 2019.

    However, Tokio Marine made headlines yesterday when it announced it believes the policies were fraudulently obtained by companies connected to Greensill’s founder, Lex Greensill.

    “In light of those fraudulent misrepresentations and fraudulent breaches of an insured’s duty of disclosure, Tokio Marine has today advised counterparties that these policies and related obligations are void from inception,” the insurer said in a statement.

    “Tokio Marine will vigorously defend any claims against it and against BCC relating to any policies purportedly issued to Greensill.”

    In response to Tokio Marine’s statement, IAG released a price sensitive announcement to the market yesterday.

    It once again maintained it had no net insurance exposure to trade credit policies sold through BCC.

    It also said that it’s continuing to work with Tokio Marine to defend claims and litigation asserting otherwise.

    IAG share price snapshot

    Following its recent tumble, the IAG share price is back into the year to date red.

    Right now, it is 1.3% lower than it was at the start of 2022. It has also slumped nearly 9% since this time last year.

    The post The IAG share price has dumped 5% in 2 weeks. What’s happening? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in IAG right now?

    Before you consider IAG, you’ll want to hear this.

    Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and IAG wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

    *Returns as of January 13th 2022

    More reading

    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 owns and has recommended Insurance Australia Group Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

    from The Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/pioAV8L

  • What happened to the Qantas share price today?

    Plane taking off from Sydney airport with CBD in backgroundPlane taking off from Sydney airport with CBD in background

    The Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) share price edged higher following an update from the Australian Competition & Commission (ACCC).

    At Tuesday’s market close, Qantas shares ended the day up 0.19% to $5.17.

    Let’s take a closer look at what was released to the ASX today.

    ACCC proposes not to take enforcement action over Qantas acquisition

    Before market open, Brisbane-based airliner, Alliance Aviation Services Ltd (ASX: AQZ) released a statement from the ACCC regarding Qantas’ 19.9% acquisition of the company.

    Alliance advised that the ACCC wrote a letter stating that it will not take any further enforcement action in relation to the takeover.

    Qantas secured the minority stake in Alliance during 2020 for roughly US$45 million.

    At the time, alarm bells rang as the competition watchdog signalled its concerns about Qantas’ monopoly in the domestic travel market.

    While no action has been taken since the investigation began 3 years ago, this could change.

    The ACCC said that it will continue to monitor Qantas’s conduct in the industry regarding the acquisition, and action could happen at a later date.

    Nonetheless, the news appears to not have bothered investors, with the Qantas share price travelling slightly higher.

    On the other hand, the Alliance Aviation share price lifted 1.87% to $3.82 apiece.

    Qantas share price snapshot

    Since the start of 2022, Qantas shares have travelled on a rollercoaster, posting a gain of around 3%.

    However, when looking at a larger time frame such as the last 12 months, its shares are relatively flat.

    Qantas commands a market capitalisation of roughly $9.74 billion, making it the 60th largest company on the ASX.

    The post What happened to the Qantas share price today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Qantas right now?

    Before you consider Qantas , you’ll want to hear this.

    Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Qantas wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

    *Returns as of January 13th 2022

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended Alliance Aviation Services Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns and has recommended Alliance Aviation Services Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

    from The Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/6ThgVqa

  • Why has the Northern Star (ASX:NST) share price gained 23% in 2 months?

    a man wearing a gold shirt smiles widely as he is engulfed in a shower of gold confetti falling from the sky.a man wearing a gold shirt smiles widely as he is engulfed in a shower of gold confetti falling from the sky.

    The Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) share price has surged in the past couple of months.

    Since 4 February, Northern Star shares have gained around 23%, making it one of the best performers across the sector. For comparison, fellow miner Newcrest Mining Ltd (ASX: NCM)’s share price increased by 21% across the same time frame.

    At the time of writing, Northern Star shares are swapping hands for $10.51, down 1.96%.

    What’s happened to the Northern Star share price?

    Lately, the acceleration in the price of gold has boosted investor sentiment, likely helping the Northern Star share price.

    Traditionally, investors flock to the yellow metal as a safe-haven asset when there is uncertainty in the market.

    While the world is slowly moving past COVID-19, the war between Russia and Ukraine has sparked a gold rush.

    Earlier this month, the price of gold soared above the US$2,000 barrier but has since fallen a touch under. Currently, gold is fetching US$1,927 an ounce.

    Back on 4 February, the precious metal was fetching around US$1,808. This represents an increase of about 7% over the two-month period.

    As such, Northern Star shares have risen from $8.54 at the time.

    It’s worth noting the price of gold spiked to an all-time high of US$2,072.90 on 7 August 2020. Northern Stars shares closed at $15.89 on the day.

    However, you may be wondering why the company’s share price is nowhere near the level it was in 2020, given the price of gold is almost the same.

    This is likely due to other macroenvironmental factors such as the United States Federal Reserve’s intent on lifting interest rates this year. The government body noted that inflation accelerated to 6.9%, the highest rate in nearly four decades.

    Following along, the Reserve Bank of Australia is being tipped to hike rates twice in 2022.

    Rising interest rates drag down the price of precious metals, and investors are apparently mixed for the moment.

    What do the brokers think?

    A number of brokers believe the Northern Star share price is trading at a bargain price.

    Last month, Morgan Stanley slashed its outlook on Northern Star shares by 3% to $12.80 per share. Based on the current share price, this implies a potential upside of 22% for investors.

    While the broker reduced its assessment on Northern Star, it still sees value in the gold miner.

    On the other hand, UBS raised its outlook on the company’s shares by 11% to $12.00. Its analysts believe Northern Star shares still have some room to bounce higher.

    The post Why has the Northern Star (ASX:NST) share price gained 23% in 2 months? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Northern Star right now?

    Before you consider Northern Star, you’ll want to hear this.

    Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Northern Star wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

    *Returns as of January 13th 2022

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras owns Northern Star Resources Limited. 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 Bruce Jackson.

    from The Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/DLZ9xQ4

  • Here’s what happened to the APA share price in March

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

    March was an alright month for the APA Group (ASX: APA) share price despite no price sensitive news being released by the company.

    The energy infrastructure company’s stock gained 6.17% last month, ending March trading at $10.67.

    That was just a few cents off its 52-week high of $10.88, reached in intraday trade on 31 March.

    However, APA’s gains weren’t enough for it to outperform the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). The index gained 6.39% last month, beating the APA share price’s performance by a measly 0.22%.

    So, what might have driven the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XJO) constituent’s stock in March? Let’s take a look.

    What boosted APA’s stock last month?

    The APA share price performed in line with the broader market in March, as did the ASX 200 utilities sector.

    The 3-stock strong sector recorded a gain of 6.69% last month, driven by the Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) share price’s 9.3% rise.

    Though, a small amount of news regarding APA did hit the market in March.

    An update on a feasibility study into delivering low-cost hydrogen conducted by a consortium involving APA dropped late last month.

    The consortium also includes Pilot Energy Ltd (ASX: PGY) and Warrego Energy Ltd (ASX: WGO).

    Pilot Energy told the market that the feasibility study is looking good so far. It’s set to be completed in the coming weeks.

    Additionally, 4 of the company’s projects were recently selected to receive a share of $50.3 million under the Morrison Government’s national gas infrastructure plan.

    Their selection was announced by Minister for Industry, Energy, and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor on 22 March.

    The APA projects set to receive a share of the cash are Victoria’s Southwest pipeline expansion project, Queensland’s Project Range project and Surat Hub project, and Australia’s East Coast Gas Grid Expansion Stage 2.

    APA share price snapshot

    Despite trading relatively in line with the ASX 200 last month, the APA share price has outperformed it year to date.

    Right now, the infrastructure company’s stock is 3.3% higher than it was at the start of 2022. Over that same period, the ASX 200 has slipped nearly 0.9%.

    The post Here’s what happened to the APA share price in March appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in APA Group right now?

    Before you consider APA Group, you’ll want to hear this.

    Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and APA Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

    *Returns as of January 13th 2022

    More reading

    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 owns and has recommended APA Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

    from The Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/0dEAbuK