• ASX lithium shares on watch as lithium prices eye 2-year high

    A futuristic view of electric vehicle technology with speeding bright light trails indicating power.

    ASX lithium shares, Galaxy Resources Limited (ASX: GXY), Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) and Orocobre Limited (ASX: ORE) have taken a breather in recent weeks after posting triple-digit returns in 2020. 

    Despite ASX lithium shares not posting significant gains this year, lithium prices have been quietly grinding higher and are eyeing 2-year highs. 

    Higher lithium prices to support ASX lithium miners

    Fastmarkets provides the latest battery-grade spot lithium prices across China, Europe and the US. The latest update from Fastmarkets highlights: 

    • Battery-grade lithium carbonate price in China continued to post slight gains while battery-grade hydroxide paused following the sharp rally in the prior pricing session.
    • The battery-grade lithium carbonate price in the seaborne Asian market continued the uptrend, while the equivalent grade hydroxide price kept firm.
    • European and United States’ battery prices were firm on support from supply tightness and a good level of demand.

    From a pricing perspective, battery-grade lithium carbonate in China has surged to 87,500 yuan (~A$17,340) per tonne, up from November lows of 40,000 yuan (~A$8,000). 

    What do brokers think about ASX lithium shares? 

    Citi and Credit Suisse are neutral on the Pilbara share price with a respective $1.10 and $0.95 target price. On 17 February, Citi noted that the electric vehicle (EV) market had proven extremely resilient in 2020 despite passenger vehicles weakness. The continued growth and demand for EVs will call for increased demand from materials in the EV battery supply chain. 

    UBS is bullish on the Galaxy share price with a $3.60 target price and buy rating on 10 March. The broker eyes its James Bay lithium mine project, which is expected to have a mine life of 18 years based on an average production rate of 330,000tpa. 

    Conversely, Morgan Stanley remained underweight for Galaxy shares. It noted that the James Bay lithium project would need to integrate with a lithium chemical producer. The key step once the project moves into production will be finding a downstream conversion partner. The broker retained its $1.50 price target.  

    UBS is also buy-rated on the Orocobre share price with a $6.70 target price on 5 March. The broker points to Orocobre’s significant improvement in cost base from US$4,266/t last year to US$3,623/t in December 2020. 

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    Motley Fool contributor Kerry Sun 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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  • Here’s why the Sezzle (ASX:SZL) share price is crashing 5% today

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    The Sezzle Inc (ASX: SZL) share price is not having a fun start to the week today. Sezzle shares are, at the time of writing, down a nasty 5.63% to $7.55 a share.

    That still puts the Sezzle share price in the green for 2021 so far, by a healthy 20% in fact. But it also puts it down by around 35% from the highs we saw back in mid-February.

    So what’s behind this decisive move downwards for Sezzle today?

    Sezzle share price fails to sizzle

    Well, today’s Sezzle share price moves are not the result of any official news out of the company. That much we know for sure. The last major announcement Sezzle made to the markets was its FY2020 earnings results back on 26 February. There have been some housekeeping announcements since, but nothing that would conceivably result in today’s moves.

    Instead, it looks as though the entire buy now, pay later (BNPL) sector is selling off today. Sezzle’s BNPL brethren Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) and (to a lesser extent) Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P) have both sold off today in the face of a rising S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). At the time of writing, Afterpay is down 4.2%, while Zip has shed 1.16%.

    This is nothing new though. BNPL shares like Afterpay, Zip and Sezzle have been in the wringer for a while now. This space looks to be taking the brunt of investors’ newfound distaste of highly-valued ASX tech shares as a result of rising bond yields across both the United States and Australia.

    Further, as we reported last week, competition in the BNPL space is also heating up. For one, we have the better side of a dozen BNPL companies on the ASX offering very similar services.

    For another, we are also seeing US payment giants like PayPal Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: PYPL), American Express Company (NYSE: AXP), Mastercard Inc (NYSE: MA) and Visa Inc (NYSE: V) all dipping their respective toes into BNPL products and offerings.

    These companies are massive and truly global. For example, Afterpay, by far the ASX’s largest BNPL provider, has a market capitalisation of $31.14 billion on current pricing. Visa is a ~US$480 billion ($618.5 billion) behemoth by comparison.

    But remember, although the falls in the BNPL space look dramatic, they do come off the back of what has been a fantastic year (or more) for these companies. Yes, Sezzle is down 35% from its highs. But it is also still up more than 300% from its pre-COVID high.

    On the current Sezzle share price, the company has a market cap of $771.77 million.

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    Sebastian Bowen owns shares of American Express, Mastercard, and Visa. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Mastercard, PayPal Holdings, and Visa. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of ZIPCOLTD FPO. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. recommends Sezzle Inc and recommends the following options: long January 2022 $75 calls on PayPal Holdings. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Mastercard, PayPal Holdings, and Sezzle Inc. 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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  • Why the Jupiter Mines (ASX:JMS) share price is down again today

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    The Jupiter Mines Ltd (ASX: JMS) share price is falling again due to its proposed spinoff company Juno Minerals Limited. At the time of writing, the Jupiter Mines share price is trading at 31 cents, down 7.6% from Friday’s close.

    Let’s take a look at what the mining company announced today.

    More delays

    Jupiter Mines’ spinoff company is causing waves today, as its initial public offering (IPO) has been delayed again. The original date for Juno’s IPO was to be March 17 2021, but it has been pushed back to the end of May.

    The delays announced today follow the demerger’s halt last week, as one of its major shareholders didn’t want to meet the regulatory requirements of the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). Thus, Juno’s IPO was unable to go ahead.

    The delay last week was caused by Stitching Pensioefonds ABP (ABP), holder of 15% of Jupiter’s shares.

    Jupiter reported today that a general meeting of its shareholders would be held by the end of April, where the capital reduction and demerger are expected to be re-approved.

    Jupiter intends to remove the regulatory requirements of the FIRB as a condition of the transaction. Allowing it to make the changes needed to create the spinoff company.

    Jupiter’s CEO Priyank Thapliyal had strong words to say about the IPO’s delay last week.

    The IPO and the potential uplift that would have occurred with the construction of Mount Mason in the near term in this robust iron ore price market was the optimal structure to release substantial value for Jupiter shareholders. Needless to say, this has been usurped for all the shareholders by the decision of one shareholder, ABP.

    About Juno

    A spinoff company from Jupiter Mines, Juno takes control and ownership of Jupiter’s Central Yilgarn Iron Ore assets.

    The demerger and IPO of Juno were voted on by Jupiter shareholders in January 2021, with a clear majority voting for the spinoff.

    Jupiter intends to provide 200 million shares in Juno, with 80 million available for public offer. The sale of shares will raise the $20 million needed to fast-track the Mount Mason Hematite Project’s development.

    Jupiter mines’ share price snapshot 

    Over the past 12 months, Jupiter Mines’ share price has risen by more than 45%. 

    Based on the current Jupiter Mines share price, the company has a market capitalisation of around $646 million, with approximately 1.9 billion shares outstanding.

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  • Here’s why the Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) share price is pushing higher

    The Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) share price is pushing higher on Monday.

    In afternoon trade the lithium miner’s shares are up 1.5% to $1.06.

    Why is the Pilbara Minerals share price pushing higher?

    Investors have been buying Pilbara Minerals shares today following the release of a positive announcement.

    According to the release, Yibin Tianyi Lithium Industry Co will provide a US$15 million unsecured prepayment to Pilbara Minerals’ operating subsidiary, Pilgangoora Operations. This will be used to fund the A$22 million improvement works underway on Plant 1 at the operation.

    The release explains that the prepayment is in support of Pilgangoora Operations providing up to a further 40,000tpa of spodumene concentrate product to Yibin Tianyi Lithium Industry Co following the successful commissioning of the Stage 1 improvement works.

    These are expected to occur in the September quarter and will increase its production capacity by ~30,000 to 50,000tpa at Plant 1.

    Management notes that this increased offtake is in addition to the existing 75,000tpa, five-year offtake agreement with Yibin Tianyi announced last year. This will mean its offtake agreement increases to a total of up to 115ktpa of spodumene concentrate.

    Management commentary

    Pilbara Minerals Managing Director and CEO, Ken Brinsden, commented: “Our relationship continues to grow with Yibin Tianyi as we work together in support of both our businesses’ growth ambitions. For Yibin Tianyi, to become one of the biggest lithium chemical suppliers in China with the support of our major shareholder, CATL and for us to become one of the largest, lowest cost lithium raw material suppliers in the world.”

    “We are also extremely proud to welcome SIMPEC and IronMerge to Pilgangoora to execute these improvement works. This joint venture is a demonstration of companies working together to support Aboriginal business enterprises to grow and create opportunities for local people,” he concluded.

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  • Why the Tilt Renewables (ASX:TLT) share price is soaring 15% today

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    The Tilt Renewables Ltd (ASX: TLT) share price is flying high today after the wind and solar farm owner and operator announced it’s set to be sold off to two separate parties.

    Wind of the potential acquisition hit the Australian Financial Review yesterday. The news stated that Tilt Renewables was in the late stages of discussions with Mercury NZ and QIC’s renewable investment group, Powering Australian Renewables (PowAR).

    Tilt Renewables board tells ASX they’re all for it

    In the announcement provided to the market, the Tilt board has recommended the proposed acquisition. This would entail Mercury NZ acquiring Tilt’s New Zealand operations, while PowAR would acquire the company’s Australian operations. The offer from the consortium is set at NZ$7.80 per share in cash to Tilt shareholders.

    The proposal comes just over a month after the renewable infrastructure owner received an initial non-binding indicative proposal to acquire it in early February. At the time, Infratil Ltd (ASX: IFT), Tilt’s largest shareholder, welcomed the proposal. Tilt went on to offer access to information to these companies to carry out due diligence.

    Today’s scheme has been fully endorsed by Infratil, as the company agrees to vote its entire 65.5% shareholding in favour of the acquisition.

    Based on the current number of outstanding shares, the acquisition price of roughly $7.24 Australian dollars gives Tilt Renewables a market capitalisation of $2.73 billion. If all parties move forward with the deal it would mark the largest renewables deal ever in Australia and New Zealand.

    What it means for other ASX listed parties

    Today’s news is certainly good for Infratil as well. The foreign investment company provided an update making its support for the acquisition known.

    Furthermore, Infratil noted that the carrying value of its stake in Tilt was NZ$704.1 million at the end of September 2020. Hence, the sale price mentioned today represents over four times its book value.

    AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL) also announced that it will be involved in the acquisition of Tilt due to its 20% interest in PowAR. As a result, AGL will contribute A$341 million towards funding PowAR’s portion of the purchase.

    The CEO of AGL, Mr Brett Redman. commented on the update:

    The proposed acquisition by PowAR will provide more renewable energy options in AGL’s generation portfolio, further supporting our orderly transition away from coal-fired power and responding to our customers’ increasing appetite for cleaner energy

    Tilting towards green

    It’s no secret there is a strong push for renewable energy across Australia and New Zealand. Last week’s news of Victoria’s Yallourn power station bringing forward its closure by four years is a sign of the times. As more legacy energy infrastructure assets falter, more renewables will be needed to meet the public’s energy needs. 

    Today’s news demonstrates how sought-after renewable infrastructure is becoming. As Tilt Renewables mentioned, the scheme represents a 40% per annum return to any shareholder who invested in the company upon its demerger in 2016. In the past year alone, Tilt shares have been a standout on the ASX, returning 156%. 

    At the time of writing, the Tilt Renewables share price is trading 15.36% higher at $7.06.

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  • What’s with the Creso Pharma (ASX:CPH) share price today?

    medical marijuana, cannabis, pot, drug, medical

    The Creso Pharma Ltd (ASX: CPH) share price has slipped in afternoon trading today after the company announced an agreement to acquire Halucenex Life Sciences Inc.

    The Creso Pharma share price lifted as high as 23 cents just after the market opened this morning as the agreement provides entry into the emerging global market for psychedelic medicines, estimated to be worth up to US$100 billion. Halucenex researches, develops and licences novel psychedelic molecules for the global pharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets. 

    However, Creso shares are currently down 1.43%, trading at 20.7 cents at the time of writing. Let’s take a look at what’s happening with the Creso Pharma share price. 

    Consolidating after 1,000% surge last year 

    The Creso Pharma share price surged as much as ~1,300% last year from 3.5 cents to as high as 47 cents.

    This could be attributed to the US House of Representatives passing the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act to remove cannabis from the US Controlled Substances Act. The bill decriminalises cannabis for the first time on a national level. 

    While the Creso Pharma share price has taken a breather around the 20 cent level in 2021, the company continues to push forward with several significant announcements and developments in the cannabis space.  

    Halucenex acquisition 

    Creso said the acquisition was a “first-mover advantage” into the psychedelic medicines sector, positioning itself as the first 100%-owned psychedelic medicines company listed on the ASX. 

    Halucenex is currently awaiting the approval of its Controlled Drugs and Substances Dealer’s License. If approved, it will apply to commence a phase 2 clinical trial. The company will conduct research and development on psychedelic substances, including LSD, psilocybin and MDMA. Its phase 2 clinical trial is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2021. 

    Halucenex will also seek an amendment to the dealer’s license to produce, package/assemble, sell, transport, import and export psychedelic substances. The company notes that it will not partake in any activities in relation to certain compounds until the company has satisfied the ASX that it is legally compliant. 

    Transformational acquisition for the Creso Pharma share price 

    Creso Pharma views the acquisition as “transformational”, enabling the company to emerge as a “best-in-class provider of cannabis, cannabinoids and psychedelics alternative medicines to meet the large unmet need for treatments to improve mental health and well being”. 

    The Halucenex acquisition will include a $500,000 cash consideration plus ~29.25 million Creso shares and ~17.5 million Creso performance shares. Creso has also agreed to advance Halucenex $250,000 as a loan to fund its operations before settlement. And provide another $1,000,000 in funding during the 12 months following settlement. 

    Management commentary

    Creso Pharma non-executive chairman Adam Blumenthal believes the acquisition benefits the company on all fronts.

    This is a major milestone for Creso Pharma and marks our evolution into a broader based pharmaceutical business. Creso will now sell its trusted cannabis products and progress the commercialisation of a range of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy treatments. Our entry into this market provides the company with another lucrative vertical and an additional near term revenue stream.

    Mental health and PTSD are becoming detrimental to our society and this has been highlighted in the last 12 months. These conditions have been exacerbated by COVID-19 and the available treatments are shown to have limited effectiveness and many side effects. Psychedelic-assisted therapy is a new alternative treatment route, which has considerable promise.

    Mr Blumenthal said the acquisition of Halucenex would strengthen the company’s presence in Canada, as well as “provide a number of opportunities in drug development which will inevitably lead to further new market entries and commercialisation opportunities”.

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  • Why the Bank of Queensland (ASX:BOQ) share price is under pressure today

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    The Bank of Queensland Limited (ASX: BOQ) share price is trading lower on Monday afternoon.

    At the time of writing, the regional bank’s shares are down 1% to $8.79.

    Why is the Bank of Queensland share price trading lower?

    This morning Bank of Queensland announced the completion of the retail component of its underwritten 1 for 3.34 accelerated pro-rata non-renounceable entitlement offer.

    According to the release, the completion of the retail entitlement offer represents the final stage of the bank’s $1.35 billion equity raising. This included an underwritten institutional entitlement offer and institutional placement, which completed last month.

    These funds were raised at $7.35 per new share, which was a 12.6% discount at the time.

    Bank of Queensland revealed that it received strong support from eligible retail shareholders. It advised that applications totalled approximately $336 million, reflecting a take-up rate of approximately 50%.

    In addition to this, approximately $72 million was applied for under its oversubscription facility, with each eligible retail shareholder who subscribed under the facility receiving the full allocation of new shares for which they applied.

    However, this meant that the company only raised a total of $408 million from retail shareholders, which was below target. In light of this, 37 million (worth ~$271 million) will be allocated to the underwriters or sub-underwriters of the retail entitlement offer.

    These underwriters are likely to be looking to offload these shares onto the market in the coming weeks, which could weigh on the Bank of Queensland share price.

    What now?

    With the funds raised, Bank of Queensland will now push ahead with its acquisition of Members Equity Bank (ME Bank) for $1.325 billion.

    This acquisition is expected to be low double-digit to mid-teens cash earnings per share accretive, including full run-rate synergies in the first year (FY 2022). It is also expected to be cash return on equity accretive by over 100 basis points including full run-rate first year synergies.

    The two businesses will have pro forma total assets over $88 billion, with total deposits of more than $56 billion.

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  • Live Coverage of The Australian Share Market – 15 March 2021

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  • Here’s why the Altech (ASX:ATC) share price is rocketing 11%

    A line-up of green lithium batteries, indicating positive share price movement for clean ASX lithium miners

    The Altech Chemicals Ltd (ASX: ATC) share price is flying higher today, up 10.9% at 6.1 cents at the time writing, having earlier posted gains of more than 16%.

    We take a look at the tech share’s twin announcements to the ASX below.

    Battery performance

    First, Altech reports that it has completed its phase 1 testing of battery performance of “graphite particles coated with high purity alumina (HPA)”. The coating was done with Altech’s proprietary technology. The trial included 100 cycle battery tests.

    The company said that the performance met its expectations, and it plans additional tests to demonstrate repeatability. The graphite particle coating has the potential to increase the capacity, chargeability and life of lithium-ion batteries.

    Commenting on the initial results, Altech general manager operations Jingyuan Liu said:

    We now have to optimise the testing conditions and conduct additional tests to demonstrate repeatability and consistency. The performance of the alumina coated graphite is meeting our expectations so far.

    Silica alumina coating breakthrough

    In Altech’s second announcement, the company reported a breakthrough in its silicon alumina coating development.

    The company said it had successfully applied its “alumina nanolayer coating technology to the coating of silicon particles, typical of those used in anode applications within lithium-ion batteries”.

    Altech noted silicon has 10 times more energy capacity than graphite and pointed to Tesla Inc‘s (NASDAQ: TSLA) recently announced intent to increase the amount of silicon in its batteries to improve battery life and energy density.

    Addressing the breakthrough, Jingyuan Liu said:

    We are very encouraged by the excellent coating results achieved from the application of our technology, it has the potential to significantly increase the use of silicon in lithium-ion battery anode and consequently the potential to increase battery energy density, overall performance and longevity.

    The next step is to further optimise the coating process.

    Altech share price snapshot

    Over the past full year, the Altech share price is up 3%. That compares to a 38% gain on the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

    Year-to-date Altech shares have gained 55%.

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  • Why brokers think the Qantas (ASX:QAN) share price could fly 17% higher

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    ASX travel shares took the spotlight last week after the federal government announced a $1.2 billion support package that includes 800,000 half-priced airline tickets. The Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) share price rose 4% last week on the back of the positive news.

    Qantas shares have also attracted multiple broker upgrades as the airline is expected to emerge as a leaner business post-COVID

    Brokers upgrade the Qantas share price to a Buy

    Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) is the latest broker to upgrade the Qantas share price. On Monday, the broker shared its views that Qantas will emerge from the pandemic as a structurally improved business with a focus on the more attractive domestic market and its loyalty business. 

    Macquarie believes that the improvement in domestic travel, and Qantas’ leading loyalty program, will reduce the downside risks associated with international travel. The broker stated that a vaccine rollout combined with border policies and government stimulus could see domestic capacity push to above pre-COVID levels in the near term. 

    The broker also expects vaccine rollouts in key international destinations to be largely completed by the end of 2021. However, the timing surrounding when international travel will recommence remains uncertain. 

    Macquarie upgraded the Qantas share price from neutral to outperform with a $6.35 target price, which represents an upside of ~17% on today’s price. 

    Citi and Ord Minnett also upgraded their targets for the Qantas share price last week. 

    On 12 March, Citi upgraded the Qantas share price to a Buy with a $6.14 target price. The broker believes the government stimulus packages add greater certainty for borders. Citi’s comments did note, however, that a leisure-led recovery would deliver negligible upside for profitability.

    On 10 March, Ord Minnet upgraded the Qantas share price target to $6.00 with a Buy rating. The broker believes Qantas will emerge from COVID with a significantly reduced cost base and an enhanced competitive position.  

    ASX travel shares higher on Monday 

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is trading slightly higher on Monday, up 0.06% at the time of writing. However, ASX travel shares are grinding comparably higher across the board. As well as Qantas, which is currently up 2.6% at the time of writing, these include: 

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    Motley Fool contributor Kerry Sun has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Corporate Travel Management Limited and Webjet Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Flight Centre Travel Group Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

    The post Why brokers think the Qantas (ASX:QAN) share price could fly 17% higher appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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