The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a week to forget after the US Federal Reserve indicated that it would start to raise rates in March. The benchmark index tumbled 2.6% over the period to end at 6,988.1 points.

Fortunately, not all shares were dragged lower with the market last week. In fact, some even managed to record strong gains. Here’s why these were the best performers on the ASX 200 last week:

Codan Limited (ASX: CDA)

The Codan share price was the best performer on the ASX 200 with an 11.2% gain. This follows the release of a trading update from the metal detector and electronic products company. Codan revealed that a strong finish to the half led to it recording sales of $257 million for the six months ended 31 December. This represents a 32% improvement over the prior corresponding period.

Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING)

The Inghams share price was a solid performer and charged 5% higher over the period. This may have been due to bargain hunters looking for value options amid the weakness in growth shares. This poultry producer’s shares were sold off recently following the release of a disappointing trading update.

Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA)

The Champion Iron share price wasn’t far behind with a gain of 4.8%. This follows the release of the Canadian iron ore miner’s third quarter update. While Champion Iron reported a 23% decline in revenue to C$253 million and a 43% reduction in EBITDA to C$122.1 million, this was ahead of expectations thanks to higher iron ore prices. For example, Goldman Sachs was expecting EBITDA of C$87 million for the three months. Goldman put a buy rating and $7.10 price target on its shares in response to the update.

Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO)

The Rio Tinto share price was on form and rose 4.6% over the four trading days. This could have been driven by a broker note out of Macquarie last week. In response to the mining giant’s agreement with the Mongolian government for the Oyu Tolgoi operation, the broker retained its outperform rating and $130.00 price target on its shares. This compares to the current Rio Tinto share price of $113.76.

The post These were the best performing ASX 200 shares last week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX shares today
• Why Champion Iron, Dusk, Hipages, and Imugene shares are charging higher
• ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) midday update: ResMed and PointsBet disappoint
• Champion Iron (ASX:CIA) share price jumps on quarterly results
• Own Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) shares? What options does the company have in response to the Serbian government’s decision

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 Bruce Jackson.

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Key points

• Global share markets are becoming volatile, opening up some opportunities for investors
• The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF can give investors exposure to some of the world’s leading technology businesses like Apple and Microsoft
• The VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF is about businesses that have strong competitive advantages and look good value

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The global share market volatility could mean it’s a good time to consider some of the highest-quality exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the ASX.

Investors seem to be worried about rising interest rates because of the high level of inflation that the US is seeing.

Higher interest rates can have the impact of hurting the current valuations of businesses. But that may mean that investors can get exposure to these companies at better prices.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

This ETF from Betashares is about providing investors with exposure to 100 of the largest non-financial businesses on the NASDAQ, which is a North American stock exchange.

Since the start of the year, the NDQ ETF has fallen by 12% due to all of the volatility that the US share market is experiencing. Remember, an ETF simply tracks the returns of the underlying holdings (and also takes the management fees).

Lower prices can be an opportunity to get exposure to many of the world’s leading technology businesses including: Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta (Facebook), Tesla, Nvidia, Adobe, PayPal and so on.

Within this portfolio are leaders from several different sectors including Costco, Netflix Moderna, Intuitive Surgical and ASML.

This ETF has an annual management fee of 0.48% per annum.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

This ETF is also based on shares that are listed in the US. However, it isn’t based on an index which is influenced by the size of those businesses.

The stocks that are picked for this ETF’s holdings are ones chosen by analysts from Morningstar that look good value and are believed to possess wide economic moats.

An economic moat is a way of describing its competitive advantages. For example, it could have cost advantages, patents, scale advantages, brand power and so on. The “wide” part of the description of the economic moat refers to the belief that the businesses will almost certainly hold onto their current competitive advantages for the next decade and more likely than not for the next two decades.

Businesses are only allocated a weighting to this ETF’s portfolio if they’re at attractive prices relative to Morningstar’s estimate of fair value.

On 27 January 2022, there were 46 holdings in the portfolio. The ones with a weighting of at least 2.7% were: Cheniere Energy, Lockheed Martin, Wells Fargo, Merck & Co, Berkshire Hathaway, Altria Group, Philip Morris, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Aspen Technology, Dominion Energy, Kellogg, Constellation Brands and Corteva.

Unlike the NDQ ETF, most of the positions in the MOAT ETF are reasonably similar sized weightings.

Looking at the sector allocation, at the end of December 2021, IT made up just over 25% of the portfolio, with healthcare, industrials and consumer staples having mid-teen percentage weightings.

Performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance, but at the end of 2021 this ETF had produced an average return per annum of 18.3% over the prior five years.

The post Are these 2 leading ETFs good buys in February 2022? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Is the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX:NDQ) an opportunity in this market correction?
• 2 top international ETFs for ASX investors
• 2 strong ETFs for potential growth
• 2 popular ETFs for ASX investors in 2022
• 2 ASX ETFs with strong growth potential

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 BETANASDAQ ETF UNITS. The Motley Fool Australia owns and has recommended BETANASDAQ ETF UNITS. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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Looking for some dividend shares for next week? If you are, check out these dividend shares that could be in the buy zone after recent market weakness.

Here’s what you need to know about them:

Centuria Industrial Reit (ASX: CIP)

The first ASX dividend share to look at is Centuria Industrial. It is the largest domestic pure play industrial REIT on the Australian share market with a portfolio of high-quality industrial assets.

These assets are situated in key metropolitan locations throughout Australia with an 89% weighting to Australia’s high performing eastern seaboard industrial markets. In respect to its tenant base, almost two-thirds of portfolio income is derived from occupants directly linked to the production, packaging and distribution of consumer staples, telecommunications and pharmaceuticals.

Macquarie is a fan of the company. Its analysts are forecasting dividends per share of 17.3 cents in FY 2022 and 18.7 cents in FY 2023. Thanks to a recent pullback in the Centuria Industrial share price to $3.82, this will mean yields of 4.5% and 4.9%, respectively.

The broker also sees upside for its shares and has an outperform rating and $4.37 price target on them.

Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Another ASX dividend share to consider is this telco giant.

Earlier this month the Telstra share price reached a multi-year high of $4.31. But due to the recent market volatility, it closed the week down at $3.96.

This could be a big positive for income investors, with the yield on offer with its shares back to 4% based on its plans to pay a fully franked 16 cents per share dividend in FY 2022.

In addition, the team at Morgans believe there is decent upside for the Telstra share price from the current level. A recent note reveals that the broker has an add rating and $4.55 price target. This suggests the company’s shares could rise 15% from current levels in 2022.

The broker believes industry conditions are positive and Telstra’s sum of the parts (SOTP) is worth more than its current valuation.

Morgans commented: “Industry dynamics have turned positive (NBN and mobile prices are increasing after 5 years of decline; TLS’s targets imply they continue to rise). The SOTP for TLS is worth more than the current share price (and steps to release this value are underway; albeit timing is unclear).”

The post 2 ASX dividend shares with 4%+ yields appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These 3 ASX 200 shares are topping the volume charts this Friday
• Here’s why the Telstra (ASX:TLS) dividend is back over 4%
• These 3 ASX 200 shares are topping the volume charts on Thursday
• Telstra (ASX:TLS) ‘best placed in the Aussie mobile market’ says JP Morgan
• 2 strong blue chip ASX shares rated as buys

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 owns 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 Bruce Jackson.

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It was another tough week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) after the US Federal Reserve indicated that it would start to raise rates in March. The benchmark index lost 2.6% of its value during the four-day week to end it at 6,988.1 points.

While a good number of shares tumbled with the market, some fell more than most. Here’s why these were the worst performers on the ASX 200 last week:

Silver Lake Resources Limited (ASX: SLR)

The Silver Lake share price was the worst performer on the ASX 200 with a 19.1% decline. Investors were selling gold miners last week after the gold price pulled back following hawkist rhetoric from the US Federal Reserve. The likes of Regis Resources Limited (ASX: RRL), Ramelius Resources Limited (ASX: RMS), and Resolute Mining Limited (ASX: RSG) recorded similarly severe declines of 17% to 18%.

Kogan.com Ltd (ASX: KGN)

The Kogan share price wasn’t far behind with a 16.9% decline over the period. Investors were selling the ecommerce company’s shares following the release of a trading update. According to the release, Kogan achieved a 9% lift in first half gross sales thanks to the inclusion of the Mighty Ape business for the full six months instead of just one month in the prior corresponding period. Things were much worse for its earnings, with Kogan reporting a massive 58% decline in EBITDA to $21.7 million. This was driven by supply chain challenges, higher logistic costs, and its investment in marketing. Once again, the six-month inclusion of Mighty Ape masked over what would have been an even bigger earnings decline.

PointsBet Holdings Ltd (ASX: PBH)

The PointsBet share price was out of form and sank 16.2% over the four trading sessions. This was driven by weakness in the tech sector. In addition, the sports betting company’s second quarter update received a lukewarm response from investors. PointsBet reported an 11% increase in group turnover to $1,326 million and net win growth of 61% to $71.9 million. However, also growing were its losses. PointsBet’s operating loss widened to $51.8 million.

Mineral Resources Limited (ASX: MIN)

The Mineral Resources share price was the next worst non-gold miner with a 15.8% decline. This appears to have been driven by weakness in the battery materials sector and a broker note out of Ord Minnett. In respect to the latter, the broker downgraded the company’s shares to a sell rating with a $45.00 price target on valuation grounds.

The post These were the worst performing ASX 200 shares last week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX shares today
• Why is it when Jerome Powell sneezes, the ASX 200 catches a cold?
• When it comes to ASX shares, is it possible to pick the bottom?
• These 3 ASX 200 shares are topping the volume charts this Friday
• Analysts give their verdict on the Kogan (ASX:KGN) share price

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. owns and has recommended Kogan.com ltd and Pointsbet Holdings Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns and has recommended Kogan.com ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pointsbet Holdings Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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Key points

• The Ramelius share price sank 8% today
• Investors did not warm to the company’s quarterly results
• Gold production at its Western Australian mines was at the lower end of the guidance

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The Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) share price finished in the red after the company released its quarterly report today.

The company’s shares were swapping hands at $1.32 at the close of trade, down 8.04%. This is its lowest level since late September 28, 2021.

Let’s take a look at what the gold miner reported today.

Ramelius share price falls amid quarterly results

The company released its 2021 quarterly report for the period ending 31 December 2021. Highlights included:

• Cash and gold on hand fell 39.9% on the previous quarter to $164.5 million
• Gold production of 66,919 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $1,493 per ounce
• The miner produced 31,552 ounces at Mt Magnet mine and 35,367 at Tampia mine, both in Western Australia
• Total revenue was $182 million from 77,225 ounces of gold sales at an average price of A$2,357 per ounce.

What else happened in the quarter?

Ramelius owns and explores the Edna May, Vivien, Marda, Tampia and Penny gold mines in Western Australia.

The company said overall production targets were at the lower end for the quarter. There was a slight fall in the grade and throughput at its Mt Magnet project.

This was due to a shortage of oxide, and workforce shortage impacting the company’s ability to haul as much ore as it would have liked.

However, Ramelius said there was an increase in ore stocks at the Tampia and Marda mines, with 785,000 tonnes of ore that could generate up to $60 million in cash flow.

The company completed plenty of diamond drilling during the quarter and received assay results. Ramelius also acquired the Rebecca Gold Project from Apollo Consolidated Limited.

Capital and project development spending for the 2022 financial year remains at about $70 million.

What’s next for the company?

Ramelius Resources said the impact of the WA border closure and any COVID-19 infections at the mine site were too hard to predict. Supply disruptions could also be impacted.

Gold production guidance for FY2022 remains at 260,000 to 300,000 ounces at an AISC of A$1,425-$1,525 per ounce

Ramelius share price recap

The Ramelius share price has fallen 16.24% since the start of 2022, and 10.85% over the past 12 months.

In comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has returned just over 5% in the past year.

The company has a market capitalisation of about $1.1 billion based on its current share price.

The post Here’s why the Ramelius (ASX:RMS) share price tumbled 8% to 4-month lows today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here’s what 67% of brokers think of the current IAG (ASX:IAG) share price
• Could this help Woolworths (ASX:WOW) withstand the current climate of uncertainty?
• Here are the top 10 ASX shares today
• Analysts name 2 ASX shares to buy right now
• Why is it when Jerome Powell sneezes, the ASX 200 catches a cold?

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://www.fool.com.au/2022/01/28/heres-why-the-ramelius-asxrms-share-price-tumbled-8-to-4-month-lows/

Key points

• The IAG share price traded up today
• IAG has made a solid start to the year having rallied as much as 6% in this time
• Most of the brokers covering the company have IAG as a buy right now
• Over the last 12 months, shares are still down more than 13%

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The Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) share price finished less than 2% in the green today at $4.34 apiece.

In fact, IAG has made a solid start to the year, amid the market turbulence that’s ensued since January 1. Shares are up almost 2% since then, having rallied as much as 6%.

As seen on the chart below, IAG was matching the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (XFJ) until the new year, where it then crossed over and took off. The company now leads the index after trailing it for the entirety of 2021. That could be important, as IAG is now generating its own return separate from the market return.

With a shifting regime in macroeconomic policy abundantly clear, investors are wondering where might be the best place to protect their hard earned capital.

We’ve gone to the experts to see what the current sentiment on IAG is, and from what it appears, the outlook is overwhelmingly bullish. Let’s take a look.

IAG is a buy, these brokers say

Credit Suisse expect IAG to outperform this year and rates it as a buy, valuing the company at $5.94 per share in a January note.

The broker reckons that IAG should absorb any peril costs well this year and is attracted to the insurance giant’s valuation on current figures.

Citi reckons IAG is a buy now as well, noting that the company’s share price is coming off a low base in 2021 and should perform better in 2022.

Meanwhile, the team at investment bank JP Morgan are also constructive on IAG shares and advocated clients to load up on the company in a note from this month.

The broker values IAG at a premium of $5.45 per share and feels that sentiment will improve given a number of sub-factors regarding the company’s earnings profile.

“IAG has a strong position in the Australian and NZ personal lines market, but has suffered in recent times from concerns around COVID-19 Business Interruption losses and concerns on market share losses in personal lines”, JP Morgan says.

“Short- to medium-term margin pressures have proved challenging for IAG, including higher reinsurance costs, lower yields, higher natural perils and reducing reserve releases”.

But the macro-environment could be improving for IAG, says JP Morgan. With the interest rate cycle looking set for a change in regime, the broker reckons that these points could be a net positive for IAG.

“The cycle is turning favourable for IAG in the commercial lines segment”, the broker added, noting that the “favourable [business interruption] BI second test case ruling suggests possibly a very large release” of approximately $1.2 billion to the company.

Each of Macquarie, Jarden and Morgans also rate IAG as a buy right now, valuing the company at $5.10, $5.50 and $5.23 per share respectively.

In fact, in a list of analysts provided by Bloomberg Intelligence, approximately 67% of firms have IAG as a buy right now, whereas just 16.7% each have it as a hold and sell.

A bit more on the IAG share price

The consensus valuation derived from this list is $5.19 per share, implying a 19% upside potential at the time of writing should the bull thesis play out.

IAG shares have started the year well and are climbing nicely into the green since January 1. However, over the last 12 months, shares are still down more than 13%.

The post Here’s what 67% of brokers think of the current IAG (ASX:IAG) share price appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Own IAG (ASX:IAG) shares? Here’s what you’re really invested in
• Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to sell today
• Could this help take pressure off IAG (ASX:IAG) shares in the future?
• Why this broker tips IAG (ASX:IAG) shares as a buy in 2022
• Why is the IAG (ASX:IAG) share price having a rollercoaster start to the year?

Motley Fool contributor Zach Bristow 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://www.fool.com.au/2022/01/28/heres-what-67-of-brokers-think-of-the-current-iag-asxiag-share-price/

Key points

• The Woolworths share price jumped 3.53% on Friday
• The supermarket giant has been recognised as the most valuable Australian brand
• The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index ascended 3.27% today

The Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) share price finished in the green today despite recent COVID-19 uncertainty.

The company’s share price finished the week at $1.19, up 3.53% on yesterday’s close. Meanwhile, the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) elevated 3.27%.

Let’s take a look at what’s been happening at the company lately.

Brand recognition

Woolworths has just been recognised as the most “valuable” Australian brand and the second “strongest” brand in a report by Brand Finance Australia. This could stand the company in good stead amid the current climate of uncertainty due to COVID-19.

The supermarket giant achieved a 9% surge in brand value to $13.7 billion. Despite Woolworths facing supply challenges during the Omicron wave, the report said:

Holding a 33% market share, Woolworths has been pivotal in keeping the supply chain going throughout the pandemic.

Over the last year, the brand has demonstrated an ability to adapt to the shifting retail landscape, expanding its online capability to better serve its large customer base.

The brand’s strong reputation, loyal customers, and lower risk over the last year helped to navigate any potentially detrimental effects to its brand value caused by Endeavour Group’s demerger, of which Woolworths owned 15%.

It’s the third successive year Woolworths has taken out the top spot. Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) was ranked the second most valuable brand, with BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) third.

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) achieved a 26% surge in brand value to $9.9 billion and was ranked fourth on the list. The Coles share price increased 5.02% today.

In the “strongest” brand category, Woolworths came in second after Bunnings, owned by Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES). Another Wesfarmers business, Officeworks, took third place, with Coles again in fourth.

Brand Finance says it determines the relative strength of brands “through a balanced scorecard of metrics evaluating marketing investment, stakeholder equity, and business performance”.

There has been little news from Woolworths since the start of the year. Its only release to the market came on January 7, when it announced it had pulled out of the race to acquire pharmacy chain operator Australian Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (ASX: API).

Woolworths share price snapshot

The Woolworths share price may have gained nearly 4% for the day, but it has fallen 8% since the start of the year.

Its shares have fallen 7.5% over the past month, and 3.6% over the past 12 months.

For perspective, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has returned 5% over the past year.

Woolworths has a market capitalisation of roughly $42.2 billion based on its current share price.

The post Could this help Woolworths (ASX:WOW) withstand the current climate of uncertainty? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 buy-rated ASX dividend shares that smash term deposits
• Why is the Woolworths (ASX:WOW) dividend smaller than Coles?
• Are ASX consumer staples shares really ‘safe’ to hold in a market selloff?
• 2 ASX dividend shares Morgans rates as buys
• Here are 3 ASX dividend shares with grossed-up yields over 5%

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 COLESGROUP DEF SET. 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://www.fool.com.au/2022/01/28/could-this-help-woolworths-asxwow-withstand-the-current-climate-of-uncertainty/

Today, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) fought back against the selling pressure throughout the day to finish in the green. At the end of trade, the benchmark index was 2.19% higher at 6,988.1 points.

In stark contrast to the rest of the week, all 11 sectors of the Australian share market were firmly in the positive by the end of today.

The best performing sector was consumer discretionary, posting a 3.27% gain in a single session. Consumer staples were right behind it, with exceptional gains in the big supermarket chain operators. Energy shares also managed to avoid the red today despite oil prices slipping overnight.

However, the question is: which shares delivered the biggest returns to investors on the ASX today? Here are the top ten stocks that came through for investors:

Top 10 ASX shares countdown today

Looking at the top 200 listed companies, Imugene Ltd (ASX: IMU) was the biggest gainer today. Shares in the drug developer jumped 10.53% after announcing a clinical trial supply agreement with Swiss healthcare company, Roche. Find out more about Imugene here.

The next biggest gaining ASX share today was Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA). The iron ore producer lifted 8.75% higher as brokers responded positively to the company’s recent quarterly update. Uncover the latest Champion Iron details here.

Today’s top 10 biggest gains were made in these ASX shares:

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Imugene Ltd (ASX: IMU)	$0.315	10.53%
Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA)	$6.34	8.75%
Insignia Financial Ltd (ASX: IFL)	$3.55	7.90%
Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)	$44.80	7.23%
Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE)	$12.58	6.88%
Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)	$27.52	6.83%
Event Hospitality and Entertainment Ltd (ASX: EVT)	$13.54	5.95%
NEXTDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)	$10.39	5.80%
Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI)	$10.39	5.58%
Nib Holdings Ltd (ASX: NHF)	$11.36	5.57%

Our top 10 ASX shares today countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary to ensure you know which companies were making big moves on the day. Check-in at Fool.com.au after the market has closed during weekdays to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is it when Jerome Powell sneezes, the ASX 200 catches a cold?
• Imugene (ASX:IMU) share price leaps 10% on new Roche deal
• When it comes to ASX shares, is it possible to pick the bottom?
• These 3 ASX 200 shares are topping the volume charts this Friday
• Why Champion Iron, Dusk, Hipages, and Imugene shares are charging higher

Motley Fool contributor Mitchell Lawler owns Pro Medicus Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended PINNACLE FPO and Pro Medicus Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns and has recommended PINNACLE FPO and Pro Medicus Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended NIB Holdings 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://www.fool.com.au/2022/01/28/here-are-the-top-10-asx-shares-today-28-january-2022/

If you’re looking for some new additions, then you may want to look at the shares listed below.

Both of these ASX shares have been named as buys by analysts this week. Here’s why they could be in the buy zone right now:

Nearmap Ltd (ASX: NEA)

The first ASX share for investors to look at is Nearmap. It is a growing aerial imagery technology and location data company. Nearmap provides businesses in the ANZ and North American markets with instant access to high resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D datasets, and integrated geospatial tools.

While its growth has been a little inconsistent over the last five years, this was driven largely by its dependence on several large customers. With its customer base now more evenly spread, Nearmap’s growth has been smoother. The good news is that management is confident in its growth trajectory from here and is targeting annualised contract value (ACV) growth of 20% to 40% per annum over the long term.

Earlier this week, analysts at Citi upgraded Nearmap’s shares to a buy rating with a $2.10 price target. Citi expects Nearmap’s cash burn to peak in FY 2022, which it feels could boost investor sentiment.

REA Group Limited (ASX: REA)

A final ASX share to look at is REA Group. It is the digital advertising company that operates Australia’s leading property website, realestate.com.au. It also operates a number of complementary businesses, such as mortgage broking, in the Australian market and internationally.

Although market conditions have been up and down over the last few years, the resilience of its business model allowed REA Group to continue its growth.

The team at Goldman Sachs appear confident this trend will continue. This morning the broker put a buy rating and $168.00 price target on REA’s shares. Goldman is expecting REA to deliver first half profit growth of 32% to $226.7 million.

The post Analysts name 2 ASX shares to buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Top broker tips REA (ASX:REA) shares as a buy ahead of a ‘very strong result’
• 3 ASX shares brokers have named as buys
• Why are these beaten-up small cap ASX tech shares seeing 52-week lows today?
• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week
• Is the REA Group (ASX:REA) share price a clear buy after dropping 14% in less than 3 weeks?

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. owns and has recommended Nearmap Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns and has recommended Nearmap Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended REA 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://www.fool.com.au/2022/01/28/analysts-name-2-asx-shares-to-buy-right-now/

Key points

• The ASX 200 took a hit following comments from the United States Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell
• Expectations of interest rates being lifted in the US earlier is spilling over into the ASX
• Major Australian banks now forecast rate hikes to occur this year

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It’s been a tough few days for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). On Thursday, the market took another nose-dive after the United States Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell made hawkish remarks about inflation.

The market is worried that central banks will be forced to bring forward interest rate increases faster than expected. This has left the ASX 200 in pain, as investors take note of Powell’s signals.

But why have Australian shares been reacting to the comments of Jerome Powell? After all, he is the chair of a central bank in the United States, not Australia.

Two markets cut from the same cloth

While the decisions made by Jerome Powell involve the monetary policy of a different country, Australia — and much of the developed world — is in the same boat.

Whether it is a product of globalisation, or a coincidence, Australia and the United States are both experiencing increased inflation. This in itself isn’t much of a surprise — in fact, central banks were targeting an increase in inflation.

A rebound in inflation would indicate a strengthening of the economy. For example, an increase in wages can suggest a reduction in unemployment. Furthermore, higher living costs may infer households are spending more money — a sign consumer confidence is higher.

However, inflation remains a balancing act for central banks. Let it run too hot and costs can get out of hand. But, if the hammer is brought down too hard and fast, all the economic strengthening can quickly be undone.

This is a tight rope that central banks have been trying to walk since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, Jerome Powell has opted to let inflation push above the target range. Similarly, our own chair of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Philip Lowe, has been cautious to suggest any rate rise in the near future.

Although, this has suddenly changed for Powell after US inflation reached 7% in December. In response, the chair hinted at its first interest rate rise occurring as early as March this year. The abrupt change of plans to the previously peddled roadmap has caught the ASX 200 index off guard.

Now, ASX investors are wary an interest rate rise could be happening sooner than previously expected in Australia.

What ASX 200 banks are forecasting for interest rates?

Soon after Jerome Powell’s revised rate expectations, more revisions flowed from the major banks on their forecasts for Australia rates.

The National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) revealed to investors yesterday that the RBA could move to lift rates in November this year. Following this, additional increases in interest rates could happen in December 2022 and February 2023.

Meanwhile, another ASX 200 bank — Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) beat the Federal Reserve to the punch line and announced its expectations for the first rate increase in August this year. The major bank provided this forecast on 20 January, nearly a week before Powell’s comments.

The post Why is it when Jerome Powell sneezes, the ASX 200 catches a cold? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• These 3 ASX 200 shares are topping the volume charts this Friday
• This world-famous fund manager is ‘buying the dip’. Here’s why
• Top 2 ASX 200 shares of the year so far revealed

Motley Fool contributor Mitchell Lawler 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://www.fool.com.au/2022/01/28/why-is-it-when-jerome-powell-sneezes-the-asx-200-catches-a-cold/