The Dubber Corporation Ltd (ASX: DUB) share price has pushed into all-time record highs on Wednesday. This comes after the company announced that its unified call recording and voice AI features will extend to Zoom Video Communications Inc (NASDAQ: ZM). At the time of writing, the Dubber share price is trading at $2.08, up 6.12%.

Dubber share price higher with Zoom collaboration

Dubber with Zoom will offer key capabilities valued by enterprise and government clients. This includes features such as centralising a user’s Zoom Phone (voice) and Zoom Meeting (video/meeting data) cloud recordings.

Additionally, Dubber will also provide the capability to hold a user’s cloud recordings from Zoom, storing them centrally. This feature protects users for compliance purposes while making audio and video data available to users and other business applications. Dubber AI users can also access other features. These include transcriptions, sentiment data, real-time search, and more to enrich their Zoom recordings. 

Furthermore, Dubber with Zoom is available for order now. It can be acquired through registered Dubber resellers and partners. The flexible plan starts at US$14.95 per user/month and US$29.95 per user/month for Dubber AI. 

Management commentary  

Dubber CEO, Steven McGovern, commented on its availability with Zoom: 

Unified Call Recording with Zoom reflects the way employees work today – from anywhere and across many devices and solutions. Dubber has been chosen by over 150 telecommunications carriers and service providers as the recording and data capture platform for their networks. Many have embraced Zoom as an integral part of their business and communications infrastructure. The ability to capture recordings from Zoom and manage them centrally in the Voice Intelligence Cloud demonstrates the true value of Unified Call Recording.

Dubber share price snapshot 

The Dubber share price has been bouncing between the $1.50 and $1.90 levels since November 2020. This is despite a strong half-year results announcement in February. The company also highlighted a 61% increase in revenue to $10.1 million and a 14% improvement in loss after tax of $7.5 million. 

This week represents a significant breakout for the Dubber share price, with a move above $1.90 on Tuesday and making all-time record highs on Wednesday.

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Kerry Sun has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Dubber. 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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The Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: PAR) share price has been a positive performer on Wednesday.

In morning trade, the biopharmaceutical company’s shares are up 3% to $2.65.

Why is the Paradigm share price charging higher?

Investors have been buying Paradigm’s shares following an update on its knee osteoarthritis (OA) study.

According to the release, the company has enrolled its first patient in the exploratory PARA_OA_008 knee OA Biomarker study.

The release explains that the participant has been randomised and has begun study procedures, including joint aspiration to collect baseline biomarker synovial fluid Information, at Sportsmed Biologic in Box Hill, Victoria.

In addition, the treatment phase has now commenced, with the participant receiving the first dose of injectable Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium (iPPS) or placebo and will continue at two injections a week subcutaneously for a six-week period.

Positively, Paradigm revealed that additional participants have commenced the screening process and may also begin the treatment phase over the next few weeks. This is subject to meeting inclusion criteria.

Paradigm will update investors on key study milestones as they are achieved, with the primary endpoint data expected to read out in second half of calendar year 2021.

Paradigm’s CEO and Chairman, Paul Rennie, commented: “We are very pleased to have progressed to the treatment phase of the knee synovial fluid Biomarker study, by dosing of the first participant. This study has been designed to generate clinical data which will inform of the potential of Zilosul as the first in class disease modifying OA drug (DMOAD). Additionally, the data generated will form part of Paradigm’s submission package to the TGA for the next step of the provisional approval application.”

Shareholders will no doubt be hoping for strong study results later this year. Particularly given its sizeable market opportunity.

The company estimates that there are 14 million U.S. adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis at present that could benefit from this therapy.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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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The Empire Energy Group Ltd (ASX: EEG) share price is on watch today.

This comes after the company entered a trading halt at its request pending a new announcement. Which in turn comes after it released a major acquisition announcement earlier this morning.

Below we take a look at the ASX energy share’s acquisition announcement, released shortly before it requested a trading halt.

What acquisition did Empire Energy report?

The Empire Energy share price remains in a trading halt after the company announced its intent to acquire an 82.5% interest in 5 oil and gas tenements in the Northern Territory’s Beetaloo sub-basin.

The company reported that its best estimate of Prospective Resources have more than doubled while its Contingent Resources have increased more than 350%.

Pangaea will receive $5 million cash and 140 million shares in Empire Energy once the transaction is complete. Pangaea will also receive 8 million unlisted options in Empire Energy with an exercise price of 70 cents per share.

Empire reported that the acquisition will give it numerous “drill-ready targets” and boost its early commercialisation plans for the Beetaloo.

Commenting on the acquisition, Empire Energy’s Managing Director Alex Underwood said:

This acquisition confirms Empire’s position as the leading Beetaloo independent. The transaction significantly increases Empire’s operated acreage, Prospective Resources and Contingent Resources in this key region.

Empire now controls a globally significant gas resource which strengthens our early commercialisation strategies. Pangaea’s tenements overlap the Amadeus Gas Pipeline, which in addition to the McArthur River Mine Gas Pipeline that crosses EP187, provides Empire with multiple pathways to market utilising existing infrastructure.

Underwood added that the resources contained in the tenements will help Australia and the wider Asian region meet their energy needs.

The acquisition remains subject to Empire Energy’s shareholder and Northern Territory government approvals. Empire expects the deal to be completed in June.

Amicaa is acting as financial advisor for Empire while Morgan Stanley is acting as financial advisor for Pangaea.

Empire Energy share price snapshot

Empire Energy shares have gained 98% over the past 12 months, far outpacing the 31% gains posted by the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

Year-to-date the Empire Energy share price is up 4%.

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• Ramsay (ASX:RHC) share price rises on acquisition speculation
• Why the Lithium Australia (ASX:LIT) share price is surging 7%
• Could this help the Zip (ASX:Z1P) share price catch up to Afterpay?

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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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The Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) share price has come under pressure on Wednesday.

In morning trade, the iron ore producer’s shares are down 2% to $19.98.

Why is the Fortescue share price tumbling lower?

Investors have been selling Fortescue’s shares this morning after it was the subject of a broker note out of Goldman Sachs.

According to the note, the broker has downgraded the company’s shares to a sell rating and cut the price target on them to $18.90.

This price target implies potential downside of 5.5% over the next 12 months.

Why did Goldman downgrade Fortescue’s shares?

There were a number of factors that led to Goldman Sachs downgrading the Fortescue share price this morning.

One of the main ones was its relative valuation. It notes that Fortescue’s shares are changing hands at 1.4x net asset value (NAV). This compares unfavourably to BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO), which are trading at 0.95x NAV.

Goldman also estimates that its shares will be trading at 8x estimated FY 2023 operating earnings when iron ore prices retreat to the US$80 per tonne to US$90 per tonne level. Whereas BHP and Rio Tinto’s shares will be trading at 4.5x to 5x operating earnings.

Why else is Goldman bearish?

The broker also has concerns over the widening of lower grade iron ore prices in comparison to benchmark iron ore.

It is expecting low grade 58% iron ore product discounts or realisations to widen from the current c~87%-90% level to 80% by the year-end. Combined with an expected ~35% drop in the benchmark 62% Index price, this doesn’t bode well for Fortescue.

Goldman explained: “China steel curtailments which could drive the steel price and margins higher making higher grade iron ore more favourable on a Value-in-Use (VIU) basis. We assume FMG’s realisations drop 10% from 91% achieved in Dec Q in 2020 to 81% by the end of 2021. We have already started to see steel mills switching to higher grade iron ore since Chinese steel mill gross profit margins have climbed above RMB500/t.”

All in all, Goldman doesn’t see enough value in the Fortescue share price now and recommends investors look elsewhere in the sector.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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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This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) has what many Americans want: a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine. I know people who waited on vaccination specifically to get the J&J jab. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted the company Emergency Use Authorization in late February. That’s two months after the authorization of two-dose vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. And last month the U.S. ordered an additional 100 million J&J doses. It ordered an initial 100 million doses last year.

The momentum slammed to a halt this week, though. The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended a pause in the administration of the J&J vaccine after the occurrence of “rare and severe” blood clots in some people. Now investors may be wondering what this means for J&J’s future in the vaccine space — and its share price. Here’s what you need to know.

A rare occurence

First, we should put the situation into perspective. J&J has vaccinated more than 6.8 million people in the U.S. so far. Six cases of blood clots have been reported. So this remains an exceptionally rare occurrence. The FDA says it recommends the halt “out of an abundance of caution.”

The CDC is meeting with an immunization practices advisory committee on Wednesday to examine the cases. And the FDA is also investigating. The agencies recommend the vaccination halt until their review is complete.

The people who experienced the blood clots were women between the ages of 18 and 48. Symptoms appeared six to 13 days after vaccination. The blood clots — cerebral venous sinus thrombosis — are of a type usually treated with the anticoagulant drug heparin. But health officials say that in these cases heparin could be dangerous — and that means a different treatment must be used.

It’s impossible to predict the review’s outcome. But we can use the clues we have to imagine potential scenarios.

Considering there is a pattern so far — women in a certain age group — the agencies may allow vaccination to resume in those who aren’t in this group. It’s also possible the agencies will learn why the clotting events occurred and how to prevent them in the future. In that case, vaccination might resume in everyone age 18 and older.

It’s also possible experts won’t learn exactly why these events occurred. But due to their rarity, the agencies may allow vaccinations in all groups to resume — as long as healthcare providers have a blood clot treatment plan in place.

“Recognition and management”

The FDA emphasized the idea of awareness among practitioners. The agency said the vaccination pause is important “to ensure that the healthcare provider community is aware of the potential for these adverse events and can plan for proper recognition and management.”

So I’m optimistic this is about developing the best plan of use for the J&J vaccine — not about taking it off the market.

Now, investors may be wondering what this pause means for J&J earnings. The answer is: nothing. J&J has pledged to sell its vaccine without taking a profit during the pandemic. This means any dip in vaccine use or sales won’t hurt earnings.

J&J may raise the price of its vaccine after the pandemic is over — in which case gains or declines in sales will add to or reduce profit. But even at that point, J&J investors shouldn’t expect a huge impact. The company’s vast array of products means it doesn’t rely on just one for revenue or sales growth. For instance, J&J’s full-year 2020 revenue totaled more than $82 billion. And the company’s products span the categories of consumer health, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.

How about share price? The shares may dip in the short term on this pause in vaccination. But I don’t expect any declines to last for very long. Pharmaceutical stocks haven’t been as sensitive to vaccine news as biotech stocks. Again, that’s because they don’t depend on just one product. So J&J shares remain a solid healthcare investment for the long term.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

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Adria Cimino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. recommends Johnson & Johnson and Moderna Inc. 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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The Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC) share price is pushing higher on Wednesday morning.

At the time of writing, the private hospital operator’s shares are up almost 1% to $67.99.

Why is the Ramsay share price rising?

Investors have been buying Ramsay’s shares today following speculation that it is looking to make a major acquisition in the Australian healthcare market.

On Tuesday evevning, the AFR was reporting that Ramsay is teaming up with private equity firm Pacific Equity Partners to acquire rival private hospital operator Healthe Care.

Healthe Care is the third largest private hospital operator in Australia. It employs 7,000 people across Australia and in New Zealand and operates a portfolio of 34 private healthcare facilities.

However, while Ramsay and Pacific Equity Partners are believed to be teaming up on the acquisition, they are not expected to own the hospitals together.

Instead, it is understood that Ramsay will acquire as much of Healthe Care’s portfolio as the ACCC allows, with Pacific Equity Partners snapping up the rest of the hospitals.

Surprisingly, Ramsay has not responded to the report. However, the speculation does make a lot of sense given that Healthe Care’s owner, China’s Luye Medical Group, is currently in the process of offloading these assets.

The report indicates that Luye Medical Group hired JPMorgan to auction them off, with the first round bids being made last week. Sources have told the media outlet that the auction will now move to a second and binding bid phase in coming weeks.

Healthe Care is estimated to be generating approximately $1 billion in revenue per year at present. Depending on how many of its operations Ramsay acquires, it has the potential to give its Australian revenues a nice lift in FY 2022 and beyond. Ramsay recorded revenue of $2.7 billion in Australia during the first half of FY 2021.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Ramsay Health Care 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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Lithium Australia NL (ASX: LIT) shares are on the move after the company released a positive update this morning. In early trade, the Lithium Australia share price is soaring 6.82% higher to 11.75 cents.

In today’s update, the company shared that its subsidiary, VSPC Ltd, has received encouraging results and can potentially commercialise its lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) products.

Let’s look closer at today’s news out of Lithium Australia.

What’s driving the Lithium Australia share price?

The Lithium Australia share price has bolted out of the gate this morning after the company advised a pre-feasibility study found VSPC’s LFP cathode powders to be of superior quality and performance than most other products available.

The study also gave VSPC information on the costs and benefits to begin commercially manufacturing its LFP cathode power.

Lithium Australia said steps towards the production of LFP cathode powder will likely begin shortly. It has a goal of producing 10,000 tonnes per year by 2026.

The study also found the most economically sound location to produce the product is in India. Although, the company is still contemplating other up and downstream opportunities that may exist if it is produced in Australia, the United States, South Korea or Europe.

Producing LFP cathode powder in India could see the company with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of US$66 million a year, as well as a free cash flow of US$56 million per year. The plant itself would cost US$113 million and take two years to build.

Next, Lithium Australia will conduct a feasibility study and a business case review for basing the plant in India. It will also conduct a life cycle assessment analysis of the project to determine its carbon footprint and sustainability.

Is LFP the future of lithium technology?

In today’s release, Lithium Australia stated it believes LFP is set to become the dominant lithium-ion chemistry in China over the next few years. It expects this trend will become global, in which case VSPC is in a position to supply the market with little competition.

Lithium Australia said only 2% of LFP cathode products are produced outside of China. Due to China’s own electric vehicle (EV) industry, EV manufacturers in other nations, Europe and the US in particular, may seek out locally produced LFP cathode powders.

Volkswagen has recently announced its entry-level EVs will be powered by LFP. Lithium Australia hopes other EV manufactures will follow suit.

The company also noted that potential demand for LFP may come from creators of battery energy storage systems.

Commentary from management

Lithium Australia managing director Adrian Griffin said the pre-feasibility study demonstrated VSPC is able to produce some of the most advanced LFP cathode powders available. He said:

These major milestones have been achieved in an environment in which the largest electric vehicle producers are moving to incorporate LFP lithium-ion batteries into entry-level vehicles, due to their superior safety, lower cost, longer life and reduced exposure to conflict metals. These LFP attributes are also expanding its utilisation in stationary energy-storage applications. Indeed, major battery producers worldwide are racing to expand their LFP production to meet demand as LFP becomes the fastest growing sector of the battery industry.

At present there is little LFP production outside of China, with original equipment manufacturers striving to secure alternative supply chains. Lithium Australia and VSPC aim to provide that supply chain security.

Lithium Australia share price snapshot

The Lithium Australia share price has been soaring on the ASX lately and today’s news has provided a further boost.

As is the case for many ASX listed lithium producers, Lithium Australia shares have boomed in 2021. They are currently up by almost 96% year to date. The Lithium Australia share price is also up by 135% over the last 12 months.

The company has a market capitalisation of around $98 million, with approximately 897 million shares outstanding.

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Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper 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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The Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P) share price surged on Tuesday after the company announced yet another solid quarterly update. At the time of writing, the Zip share price is trading for $10.56, up 8.53%.

Investors turned their attention as to whether or not rising competition in the buy now pay later sector would impact near-term growth. And if Zip could continue to capitalise on the significant United States retail and e-commerce market. 

Off to the races with the Zip share price 

The Zip shares opened a solid 4.5% higher on Tuesday. However, this was just the beginning of its bullish intraday run. Unrelenting buying momentum throughout the day pushed its shares an eye-watering 16.95% higher by close. 

It is apparent that the market is pleased with the quarterly results. The company delivered an 80%, 195%, and 114% increase in revenue, transaction numbers, and transaction volume respectively on the prior corresponding period. 

Perhaps more importantly, the company’s US-based QuadPay business continued to gain momentum. Transaction volumes grew 234% to $762 million and active customers growing 153% to 3.8 million. This also translated to a 188% increase in revenue to $54.4 million, or a record 47.55% contribution to group revenue. 

Zip takes aim at greater international exposure

Afterpay has always led the buy now pay later (BNPL) sector in terms of international exposure. It was one of the first ASX-listed BNPL shares to begin operations in the US and UK. Additionally, it took the initiative to acquire Pagantis to access Europe and furthermore establish a base in Singapore.

More recently, the company successfully obtained the go-ahead from the Bank of Spain, going live with merchants in France, Spain, and Italy with additional access to Germany and Portugal. 

Zip has lifted its international efforts following a $120 million capital raising back in late December 2020. This capital raising established a “New Markets” division for the business to lead the active pursuit of global growth opportunities. 

The division hit the ground running with an investment in Spotii, a leading BNPL focused on the Gulf Cooperation Council region. In addition to Twisto, a leading payments platform operational in Czechia and Poland. 

In Tuesday’s quarterly update, the New Markets division continued to expand its global footprint across both the developed and developing world. This included a soft launch in Canada, driven by its US merchant demand, a strategic investment into South East Asia via TendoPay in Philippines, and a follow-on investment into Twisto. 

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Kerry Sun has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of ZIPCOLTD FPO. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO. 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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The Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) share price is under pressure on Wednesday.

In morning trade, the energy producer’s shares are down 1% to $24.06.

Why is the Woodside share price edging lower?

After the market close on Tuesday, Woodside provided an update on its CEO succession.

According to the release, the Woodside Board and its CEO, Peter Coleman, have agreed that Mr Coleman will retire from the role on 3 June 2021.

This follows an announcement in December stating Mr Coleman’s intention to retire from Woodside in 2021, by which time he will have served ten years in the role of CEO.

What now?

Replacing Mr Coleman on an acting basis will be Woodside’s Executive Vice President Development and Marketing, Meg O’Neill. She will commence in the role next week on 20 April.

Woodside’s Chairman, Richard Goyder, commented: “Peter has been an outstanding CEO, creating a resilient and future-focused organisation. “Throughout his time at the helm of Woodside, Peter has demonstrated a commitment to promoting inclusion and diversity, operational excellence, a safe workplace, prudent capital management and maintenance of a strong balance sheet.”

Mr Goyder spoke very positively about the appointment of Meg O’Neill as Acting CEO.

He said: “The Board is very pleased to announce the appointment of Meg O’Neill as Acting CEO. Meg has demonstrated that she is an extremely capable executive, underpinned by her extensive experience and track record in the global energy sector.”

The company advised that its internal and external search for Woodside’s next permanent CEO is progressing.

However, one person that won’t be taking the role is Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) CEO, Kevin Gallagher. Earlier this week Santos gave him a one-off growth projects incentive to keep him in the role.

Oil price rise not enough

Mr Coleman’s exit appears to have offset news of a rise in oil prices overnight following the release of strong economic data out of China.

According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 1.2% to US$60.41 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price has risen 1% to US$63.91 a barrel.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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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The Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) share price is storming higher this morning.

At the time of writing, the clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company’s shares are up 5% to $4.24.

Why is the Telix share price rising?

Investors have been buying Telix shares this morning following the release of an update on its prostate cancer imaging product, Illuccix.

According to the release, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has accepted the company’s submission for the registration of Illuccix and has now commenced the priority evaluation process.

Under the priority registration pathway, the TGA will evaluate Telix’s submission to register Illuccix on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) with a target timeframe of 150 working days and an indicative decision date of 12 November 2021.

This means that the company now has regulatory reviews for Illuccix in progress in 17 countries globally. This includes Canada, the European Union, and the United States.

Management commentary

 Telix’s CEO, Dr. Christian Behrenbruch, said: “We are pleased that the TGA has accepted our submission for the registration of Illuccix and has now commenced the priority evaluation phase. This brings us significantly closer to our goal of providing widespread access to state-of-the-art prostate cancer imaging for Australian men living with prostate cancer.”

“Should we be successful in gaining TGA registration of Illuccix in Australia, we would also anticipate filing a New Medical Application with Medsafe in New Zealand under the abbreviated evaluation process for medicines approved by recognised overseas regulators. We are committed to providing access to Illuccix for all men living with prostate cancer, regardless of where they reside.”

There certainly is a need for this state-of-the-art technology. The release explains that prostate cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in both Australia and New Zealand in 2020.

More than 85,000 Australian and New Zealand men were estimated to be living with prostate cancer last year.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro owns shares of TELIXPHARM DEF SET. 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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