• Bell Potter names 3 of the best ASX 200 shares to buy in 2022

    Chalice Mining share price value and growth ASX shares

    The team at Bell Potter has been running the rule over a number of ASX shares and has named its top picks for 2022.

    Among its picks are the three ASX 200 shares below. Here’s why it thinks these are three of the best buys for 2022:

    A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M)

    A bit of a controversial pick given its abject performance over the last 12 months, but Bell Potter believes it could be well worth sticking with this infant formula company. It currently has a buy rating and $7.70 price target on its shares.

    Bell Potter explained: “We see the scope for EPS to double by FY26e, if A2M can execute on the China offline expansion strategy, while recovering 50% of the lost sales (from FY20-21) in English label IMF. The catalyst to regaining lost English label sales is likely to be boarder reopening and the return of international students. Exiting the loss making US assets or navigating a turnaround at the MVM asset would likely accelerate this turnaround. We do not see the current share price as reflecting this potential.”

    Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

    In the tech sector, Bell Potter rates Life360 very highly and has a buy rating and $16.25 price target on its shares. The broker likes Life360’s freemium model and ability to convert its huge user base into paying subscribers.

    Bell Potter commented: “The company has also recently announced two acquisitions – Jiobit and Tile – so that now it not only connects and protects people but also pets and things. Yes Life360 is currently not profitable but the unique positioning of the company means it is well placed to disrupt the safety and security market and so achieve strong top line growth for years to come.”

    Regis Resources Limited (ASX: RRL)

    In the resources sector, the broker is bullish on ASX 200 gold miner Regis Resources. It believes its shares could double over the next 12 months. Bell Potter has a buy rating and $3.81 price target on them.

    Its analysts said: “RRL’s share price has continued to drift on a forecast slow start to FY22 and a lack of conviction on the gold price. However, RRL continues to be competitive with peers on operating and cost metrics and is relatively cheap on a number of valuation metrics. [..] RRL offers exposure to a long-life, low-cost asset base and the opportunity of organic growth at McPhillamys lifting group production to ~700kozpa. On a risk-reward basis, at these levels, we view RRL is a standout in the sector.”

    The post Bell Potter names 3 of the best ASX 200 shares to buy in 2022 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    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.

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro owns Life360, Inc. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended Life360, Inc. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended A2 Milk. 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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  • These were the worst performing ASX 200 shares last week

    A woman frowns and crosses her arms.

    It was a good five days for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) last week. The benchmark index rose 1.4% over the period to end at 7,420.3 points.

    Unfortunately, not all shares climbed higher with the market. Here’s why these were the worst performing ASX 200 shares last week:

    Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG)

    The Magellan share price was the worst performer on the ASX 200 last week with a 27.8% decline. Investors were selling off the fund manager’s shares after it announced the termination of the St James’s Place mandate. The release notes that the mandate represents approximately 12% of the company’s current annual revenues. As a result, the termination of the mandate at this point in the financial year is anticipated to impact its FY 2022 revenues by 6%. Investors appear concerned more mandates could be lost, particularly given the abject performance of its flagship fund.

    CIMIC Group Ltd (ASX: CIM)

    The CIMIC share price was some way behind as the next worst performer with a 9% decline. This was despite the mining, construction and engineering services company announcing a $1.8 billion New South Wales government contract win for its subsidiary CPB Contractors. It is unclear what sparked the selling.

    Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA)

    The Bega share price was out of form and dropped 8.1% over the five days. Investors were selling the diversified food company’s shares after the release of underwhelming FY 2022 guidance. Bega provided guidance for normalised EBITDA in the range of $195 million to $215 million. While this will be an increase of 37% to 51% year on year, it was short of the market’s expectations. The Bloomberg consensus estimate was $222 million.

    Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC)

    The Charter Hall share price wasn’t far behind with a 7% decline. This follows news that the property company is acquiring a 50% interest in Paradice Investment Management (PIM). Charter Hall advised that it will pay $207 million for the stake. This comprises 70% in shares and 30% in cash. PIM is a fund manager with around $18.2 billion in funds under management. It appears as though some investors are keen on the move.

    The post These were the worst performing ASX 200 shares last week 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 more than eight 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 August 16th 2021

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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  • 3 five-star ASX shares to buy in 2022

    Are you looking to make some additions to your portfolio in 2022? If you are, the three ASX shares listed below could be great options.

    They have been tipped as shares that could generate strong returns for investors in the future. Here’s why they could be five-star stocks:

    CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)

    The first five-star stock for investors in 2022 is CSL. It is one of the world’s leading biotherapeutics companies with a portfolio of life-saving, world class therapies and vaccines. Its products are used around the world to treat immunodeficiencies, bleeding disorders, hereditary angioedema, Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency, and neurological disorders. The company is also in the process of adding treatments for iron deficiency, nephrology and cardio-renal to its arsenal through the acquisition of Vifor Pharma for $17 billion. Together with its ~US$1 billion annual spend on R&D, CSL looks well-placed for growth over the long term.

    Citi currently has a buy rating and $340.00 price target on the company’s shares.

    Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP)

    Another five-star stock to look at is Domino’s. This pizza chain operator could be a quality option for investors due to its bold growth plans and the ongoing popularity of its offering. In respect to its growth plans, management is aiming to more than double its footprint to 6,650 stores in existing markets by 2033. It also has the balance sheet strength to make acquisitions that increase its addressable market even further. Combined with its long track record of delivering solid same store sales growth, this bodes well for its growth over the 2020s.

    Goldman Sachs is a fan of the company and has a buy rating and $147.00 price target on its shares.

    REA Group Limited (ASX: REA)

    A final five-star stock to consider buying in 2022 is REA Group. It is the digital advertising company that operates Australia’s leading property website, realestate.com.au. In addition, REA operates a number of complementary businesses in the Australian market and internationally. This includes its growing presence in the mortgage broker market following the acquisition of Mortgage Choice. All in all, together with new revenue streams, its good cost control, and a booming housing market, REA Group appears well-placed for growth.

    Macquarie is very positive on the company’s outlook and has an outperform rating and $192.00 price target on its shares.

    The post 3 five-star ASX shares to buy in 2022 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 more than eight 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 August 16th 2021

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended CSL Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Dominos Pizza Enterprises Limited and REA Group 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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  • These were the best performing ASX 200 shares last week

    happy woman throws arms in the air

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was on form last week and stormed higher over the five days. The benchmark index rose 1.4% over the period to end at 7,420.3 points.

    While a good number of shares climbed higher with the market, some rose more than most. Here’s why these were the best performing ASX 200 shares last week:

    Link Administration Holdings Ltd (ASX: LNK)

    The Link share price was the best performer on the ASX 200 last week with a 12.9% gain. Investors were buying the administration services company’s shares after it received a takeover approach from Dye & Durham. If the deal goes ahead, Link shareholders will receive $5.50 per share in cash and a 3 cents per share interim dividend.

    Mineral Resources Limited (ASX: MIN)

    The Mineral Resources share price wasn’t far behind with a gain of 11.1% over the five days. This appears to have been driven by a broker note out of Macquarie. Last week the broker held firm with its outperform rating and lifted its price target by 10% to a lofty $79.00. Macquarie believes that Mineral Resources is well-positioned to benefit from record lithium prices for the next four years.

    PolyNovo Ltd (ASX: PNV)

    The PolyNovo share price was on form again and charged 10.7% over the period. Investors have been buying the medical device company’s shares since the release of a strong second quarter update last week. That update revealed that sales for October and November in the United States are up 133% over the prior corresponding period to $4.66 million.

    AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP)

    The AMP share price was a strong performer and climbed 10.5% last week. A good portion of this gain was made on Friday after it announced a divestment from its private markets business, PrivateMarketsCo. AMP has agreed to sell its infrastructure debt platform to Ares Holdings for a total cash consideration of $428 million. The agreement follows PrivateMarketsCo’s strategic decision to focus on managing equity investments in real estate and infrastructure.

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

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended Link Administration Holdings Ltd and POLYNOVO FPO. 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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  • 2 quality ASX dividend shares to buy

    A woman in a bright yellow jumper looks happily at her yellow piggy bank.

    Listed below are two ASX dividend shares that have been tipped to provide attractive yields for investors in the coming years.

    Here’s why analysts think these dividend shares are in the buy zone:

    Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1)

    The first ASX dividend share to look at is Accent. It is the retailer behind a growing network of footwear focused brands.

    Thanks to the popularity of these brands and its exclusive licensing agreements, Accent has been growing its earnings and dividends at a consistently solid rate for many years. Pleasingly, the company looks well-placed to continue this positive trend over the 2020s. Particularly given its expansion opportunities.

    Bell Potter is a big fan of Accent. It currently has a buy rating and $3.05 price target on its shares.

    The broker is also forecasting fully franked dividends per share of 9.1 cents in FY 2022 and then 13.5 cents in FY 2023. Based on the latest Accent share price of $2.38, this represents yields of 3.8% and 5.6%, respectively.

    South32 Ltd (ASX: S32)

    Another ASX dividend share to look at is this mining giant. It could be a top option for income investors due to its attractive valuation and strong free cash flow generation.

    The latter is being underpinned by its exposure to a number of in-demand commodities such as aluminium. Furthermore, South32 has recently announced the addition of copper to its portfolio via a key earnings accretive acquisition in Chile.

    All in all, the team at Goldman Sachs believe this will allow South32’s shares to provide investors with big fully franked dividend yields in the coming years. In fact, based on the latest South32 share price of $4.01, Goldman expects yields greater than 10% per annum for the next five years.

    Goldman has a conviction buy rating and $4.40 price target on its shares.

    The post 2 quality ASX dividend shares to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    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 more than eight 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 August 16th 2021

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Accent Group. 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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  • 3 fantastic ASX shares to buy for Christmas

    3 asx shares represented by investor holding up 3 fingers

    There are a large number of ASX shares to choose from on the Australian share market.

    Three that come highly rated are listed below. Here’s why these ASX shares are being tipped as buys:

    Healius Ltd (ASX: HLS)

    The first ASX share to look at is Healius. It is one of Australia’s largest pathology and diagnostic imaging providers. This makes it extremely well-placed to benefit greatly from increasingly strong demand for COVID-19 testing. This certainly was the case in the first quarter when Healius reported a 43.7% increase in quarterly revenue over the prior corresponding period to $689.9 million. More of the same is expected over the remainder of FY 2022.

    Earlier this week, Morgans upgraded the company’s shares to an add rating with a $5.79 price target.

    Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

    Another share to look at is Life360. Through its eponymous Life360 app, the company operates in the digital consumer subscription services market. It has a focus on products and services for digitally native families, where all members of the household are connected by smartphones. At the last count, the company had a massive 33.8 million monthly active users are using its app. This is supporting stellar recurring revenue growth and provides it with countless opportunities to monetise its user base further in the future.

    Bell Potter is bullish on Life360. It currently has a buy rating and $16.25 price target on its shares.

    SEEK Limited (ASX: SEK)

    A final ASX share to consider is this job listings company. While SEEK was hit hard by the pandemic, it bounced back very strongly in FY 2021. It reported a 1% increase in revenue to $1,591 million and a 58% jump in net profit after tax (excluding significant items) to $141 million. The good news is that more of the same is expected in the coming years as the Australian economy recovers from COVID-19.

    Credit Suisse is a fan of SEEK and has an outperform rating and $39.50 price target on its shares.

    The post 3 fantastic ASX shares to buy for Christmas 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 more than eight 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 August 16th 2021

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro owns Life360, Inc. and SEEK Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended Life360, Inc. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended SEEK 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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  • Own Zip (ASX:Z1P) shares? Here are some key dates to watch in 2022

    A female investor sits at her messy desk and marks dates in her diary for Zip announcements in 2022

    The Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P) share price has spent this Christmas Eve enjoying a pretty solid day of trading on the ASX.

    Zip shares closed the day at $4.39 each, up 0.23% for the day. (The ASX closed early at 2pm today for Christmas.)

    But zooming out and the picture isn’t quite as… zippy (apologies). Zip shares are down a nasty 21% year to date. And wait for this one… they’re also down 70% from their all-time high of $14.53 that we saw back in February.

    But now that 2021 is almost behind us, what does 2022 hold in store for this buy now, pay later (BNPL) heavyweight?

    What to watch for Zip shares in 2022

    Well, we of course can’t be certain, although my Fool colleague Tristan recently went through what some expert ASX investors think might happen with the Zip share price in 2022.

    But let’s look at some important dates that Zip shareholders might want to proverbially note in their 2022 diaries.

    First up, Zip’s annual general meeting (AGM) is scheduled to be held on 3 November. So circle that in the old calendar.

    Another event investors should watch out for is the completion of Zip’s Twisto acquisition. Zip told ASX investors that it is buying the Europe-based Twisto payments company last month. It will be shelling out $115.8 million for it.

    The company is hoping this acquisition will help Zip crack the lucrative European market. But Zip says the transaction will only be finalised in “the second quarter” of the company’s 2022 financial year.

    Finally, unlike some ASX companies, Zip hasn’t yet given us its reporting dates for 2022.

    So, that’s about all we know that’s set in stone for Zip announcements next year.

    Zip CEO Larry Diamond recently said that Zip is entering 2022 “with strong momentum, in a solid financial position, with a continued focus on execution, unit economics and global synergies”. So that’s a pretty good start if all goes well.

    At the current Zip share price, this BNPL share has a market capitalisation of $2.6 billion.

    The post Own Zip (ASX:Z1P) shares? Here are some key dates to watch in 2022 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Zip Co right now?

    Before you consider Zip Co, 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 Zip Co wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for nearly 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 August 16th 2021

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    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. owns and has recommended ZIPCOLTD FPO. 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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  • Here’s whats happening to the Lithium Australia share price this week (ASX:LIT)

    A wide-smiling businessman in suit and tie rips open his shirt to reveal a green t-shirt underneath

    The Lithium Australia NL (ASX: LIT) share price finished in the green this week.

    The lithium company’s shares were swapping hands for 11.5 cents apiece at Friday’s close, up 4.55% on the day. That means its shares have gained 9.5% from last Friday’s closing price of 10.5 cents.

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

    What’s going on with Lithium Australia?

    The Lithium Australia share price is climbing despite no price-sensitive news being released to the market. However, the company has made several announcements this week.

    The lithium market is also gaining significant global interest and is seen by investors as a booming industry

    Early this afternoon, the company issued 1.5 million shares to the market at 5.5 cents each. This raised $82,500 to exercise options held by Lind Global Macro Fund. This may explain the share price drop in the afternoon — it fell from a high of 12 cents — since issuing more shares to the market dilutes the value of each individual share.

    On Tuesday, the company advised it is advancing its lithium extraction technology towards commercialisation.

    The company is working with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation to develop technology known as LieNA. This process can refine low-grade spodumene, which is used to produce high-purity lithium phosphate. Lithium Australia is working towards a patent on this technology.

    Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Lithium Australia advised its battery recycling division has expanded to a bigger site in Laverton, Victoria. The company’s subsidiary has been granted a permit from the local council.

    Lithium Australian managing director Adrian Griffin said:

    Capturing larger volumes of spent lithium-ion batteries in particular helps the company create a secure battery supply chain, further underpinning the investment of Lithium Australia shareholders.

    Lithium Australia share price recap

    The Lithium Australia share price has charged ahead this year, up around 70% since the start of 2021.

    Despite this, the company’s shares have shed 10% in the past month but are up 2% this week.

    The company has a market capitalisation of nearly $116 million based on the current share price.

    The post Here’s whats happening to the Lithium Australia share price this week (ASX:LIT) appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Lithium Australia right now?

    Before you consider Lithium Australia, 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 Lithium Australia wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for nearly 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 August 16th 2021

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  • Here are the top 10 ASX shares today

    Top 10 asx shares today

    Today, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) decided to deliver a mini ‘Santa Claus rally’ with a fourth straight day of gains. At the end of the session, the benchmark index finished 0.44% higher to 7,420.3 points.

    Although it was a shorter trading session today, the market didn’t hold back from offering a big pre-Christmas finish. Every ASX sector finished higher, giving investors something to smile about as we enter the holiday season. The real estate sector ended up being the best performing, gaining 0.72%. Meanwhile, consumer staples were the slouch of the market, inching ahead 0.15%.

    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, AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) was the biggest gainer today. Shares in the financial services company surged 6.38% after announcing the divestment of its private markets business, PrivateMarketsCo. Find out more about AMP here.

    The next biggest gaining ASX share today was Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS). The lithium producer rallied 5.34% despite there being no new announcements from the company. However, investors have been showing a likening to Pilbara Minerals following a positive broker note for the lithium sector. Uncover the latest Pilbara Minerals details here.

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

    ASX-listed company Share price Price change
    AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) $1.00 6.38%
    Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) $2.96 5.34%
    Virgin Money UK PLC (ASX: NIC) $3.40 3.66%
    Corporate Travel Management Ltd (ASX: CTD) $22.28 3.58%
    Novonix Ltd (ASX: NVX) $8.61 3.49%
    Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) $54.99 3.38%
    Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK) $33.75 3.31%
    EBOS Group Ltd (ASX: EBO) $39.00 3.18%
    Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA) $5.43 3.04%
    Adbri Ltd (ASX: ABC) $2.87 2.87%
    Data as at 4:00pm AEDT

    Happy holidays to all of our readers!

    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.

    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 more than eight 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 August 16th 2021

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    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 recommended Corporate Travel Management Limited and SEEK 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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  • Early Christmas: Ark Mines (ASX:AHK) share price makes a comeback

    Female miner uses mobile phone at mine site

    Shares in Ark Mines Ltd (ASX: AHK) have made a comeback on the ASX after completing its re-compliance with Chapters 1 and 2 of the ASX listing rules.

    There’s a fairly hefty backlog of history to work through here, so let’s just get straight into it.

    What’s the situation here?

    To understand what’s going on here, it’s important to understand the background information to what’s led us to this point.

    On 30 July 2019, Ark Mines announced that it had agreed “in-principle” to the terms of a joint venture (JV) with Trendsheer Holdings Pty Ltd and ICA Mining Services Pty Ltd.

    The agreement was to mine and produce gold ore from its NT tenements and gold rights, for treatment in an environmentally friendly gold processing hub to be established by the JV.

    At the time, Trednsheer had already sorted various mining and exploration licenses alongside associated infrastructure in the area whilst ICA had secured the NT rights to the Thiosulphate gold extraction process from the CSIRO. ICA was “well advanced in raising the necessary capital for this purpose”.

    Regarding the “in-principle” terms of the JV, this contemplated the establishment of a JV in the NT that would have had exclusive access to explore, mine and process the ore mined and sell the gold produced.

    Ark would have had board representation on the JV company and exclusive roles would have been entitled to up to 30% of JV distributors, Ark says.

    Once the gold processing plant was completed, Ark expected to mine and process up to 150,000 tonnes of Glencore ore in the first 12 months of operations, then mine up to 500,000 tonnes of Mr Porter ore in the first year-and-a-half of operations.

    A few years prior to the formation of this JV however, back in 2016, the company had entered into a “gold loan facility” with Hong Kong based Chan Investments Ltd to fund its Mr Porter gold mining prospect, plus any surrounding exploration.

    The facility was made in 3 tranches and totalled US$6 million after each waterfall was completed. Curiously, the liability was actually counted as a derivative instrument. This came as it was repayable by an agreed amount of gold bullion but also allowed for a cash payment to settle the last 2 tranches, thus providing an embedded option into the liability.

    Ark says that the repayment of the Chan loan facility was expected to be made from the proceeds of gold sales completed by the JV.

    However, on 25 September 2019, voluntary administrators from KordaMentha were appointed to the company by Chan. The move came after Ark’s board had prepared financial statements that cast a shadow of doubt on its ability to continue as a going concern.

    In other words, Chan wanted to ensure it got its money back and didn’t want to let Ark off the hook in doing so.

    After administrators were appointed, Ark’s board had its powers suspended and the administrators then assumed control of the company’s affairs and assets. Ark’s share price quotation was also suspended as a result and has been in limbo right up until today.

    A reconvened creditors meeting was held on 6 January 2020, whereby the administrators announced they had come to negotiated terms to sell off some of Ark’s assets, with proceeds going towards repayment of Chan’s secured debt.

    As such the company was then recapitalised under a deed of company arrangement (DOCA) to which the creditors voted in favour to accept the DOCA.

    As of July 2021, the administrators informed that they had in effect completed the DOCA the month prior and that managerial control had been transferred back to the board of directors.

    Where are we at now?

    Since regaining managerial control back in July, the company’s board has been taking the necessary steps to remove the suspension of trading on Ark’s shares on the ASX.

    Ark released a new prospectus in September just prior to the re-listing of its equity and the offering of its shares in its equity to the public once more.

    Within the prospectus was noted several share allotments to various parties, including those DOCA contributors and other creditors.

    Yesterday, the ASX noted AHK raised $4.7 million pursuant to the offer under its prospectus dated 27 September 2021 as varied by supplementary prospectuses dated 11 November 2021 and 9 December 2021.

    It raised this sum by the issue of 23,513,500 fully paid ordinary shares at an issue price of 20 cents per share.

    Now on the eve of Christmas, the ASX advised today that suspension of trading in Ark’ shares was lifted today after the company met all its re-compliance measures.

    The company also advised today that it will commence its maiden drilling programs in the first quarter of 2022, focusing on its copper, nickel and mining tenements.

    Some might say Christmas has come a few hours early for this mining company and its shareholders, which is now set to offer investors another route of exposure to gold mining in Australia.

    The post Early Christmas: Ark Mines (ASX:AHK) share price makes a comeback appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    The author has no positions 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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