• Novonix (ASX:NVX) share price is powering up 18% today. Here’s why

    A lithium battery with blue power background, indicating positive share price movement for clean ASX lithium miners

    The Novonix Ltd (ASX: NVX) share price is soaring in midday trade. This comes after the company announced a partnership agreement with Emera Technologies on developing innovative battery technology.

    At the time of writing, shares in the integrated developer and supplier of high-performance materials, equipment, and services for the lithium-ion battery industry are up 18.4% to $3.41.

    What did Novonix announce?

    The Novonix share price is rising after reporting a positive update that could open the door to new market opportunities.

    In today’s release, Novonix advised that it will collaborate with Emera Technologies to develop and manufacture energy storage systems. This will be conducted through Novonix’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Novonix Battery Technology Solutions.

    Both parties are developing battery pack systems to support microgrids in harnessing solar power to deliver direct to people’s homes. The hope is this may lead to significant prospects within the North American market.

    Novonix and Emera Technologies plan to field test the first lot of demo units sometime this year. This will build a base for future modifications that will further refine system specifics and design.

    About Emera Technologies

    Emera Technologies, a subsidiary of parent company Emera Inc, is an international energy holding company. The business unit is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and recorded assets of more than CA$32 billion in 2019.

    The company focuses on developing new ways to deliver renewable energy to customers.

    Last year, Emera Technologies launched its microgrid power and battery business, BlockEnergy. The first utility-owned, microgrid platform that is a plug-and-play energy system delivering distributed energy at residential community-scale homes.

    Management commentary

    Novonix co-founder and chief executive Dr Chris Burns welcomed the partnership, saying:

    The BlockEnergy project is a great example of applying our technology to real life projects and developing systems with specifications not available currently in commercial products, and that have tangible downstream applications.

    This project brings the opportunity to partner on not only the development but also manufacturing of new battery systems with significant market opportunities. The target market is not limited to the United States but will also include a focus on opportunities and customers here in Canada

    Emera Technologies president and CEO Rob Bennett added:

    We’re really excited about this partnership and this project. We’re developing something that doesn’t exist today, that will help provide people with cleaner, more reliable energy, and we’re able to capitalize on expertise at home in Nova Scotia to do that.

    About the Novonix share price

    Over the past few months, the Novonix has become the new ‘it’ player, rising an astonishing 174% at the turn of 2021.

    Looking back at its performance of the past year, the company’s shares hit a low of 18 cents in March. However, more recently in January, the Novonix share price reached an all-time high of $4.23.

    Based on today’s prices, the company commands a market capitalisation of around $1.18 billion.

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    Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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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  • Why CSL, LiveTiles, OceanaGold, & Woodside shares are tumbling lower

    A white arrow point down into the ground against a blue backdrop, indicating an ASX market crash or share price fall

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) looks set to end the week with a decline. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is down 0.75% to 6,833.8 points.

    Four ASX shares that have fallen more than most today are listed below. Here’s why they are tumbling lower:

    CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)

    The CSL share price is down over 2.5% to $281.65. This appears to be due to a mixed response to its half year results yesterday. While analysts at Goldman Sachs were impressed with its stellar profit growth in the first half, they were surprised that this didn’t lead to an upgrade to its full year guidance. This has the broker concerned and led to it downgrading CSL’s shares to a neutral rating with a $305.00 price target.

    LiveTiles Ltd (ASX: LVT)

    The LiveTiles share price has fallen a further 5% to 25.7 cents. Investors have been selling this software company’s shares since it released further details of a record new contract win. The market appears to have been left underwhelmed that that the “record multi-million dollar deal” was worth $3 million over three years. And while it could increase in value over time, there’s no guarantee that this will be the case.

    OceanaGold Corp (ASX: OGC)

    The OceanaGold share price has crashed 8.5% lower to $2.01. This follows the release of its full year results after the market close on Thursday. Production issues led to the gold miner reporting a 23.2% decline in revenue to US$500.1 million and a 40% reduction in EBITDA to US$129.6 million. And due to higher depreciation and amortisation, OceanaGold posted a loss after tax of US$74.3 million.

    Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL)

    The Woodside share price is down 4% to $24.35 despite announcing a sale and purchase agreement with RWE Supply & Trading. The agreement is for the supply of LNG from Woodside’s global portfolio for a term of seven years commencing in 2025. In other news, this morning UBS held firm with its neutral rating and cut the price target on its shares slightly to $26.05. This follows its full year results release this week.

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    James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of CSL Ltd. and LIVETILES FPO. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended LIVETILES 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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  • Vita Group (ASX:VTG) share price up on results, despite Telstra woes

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    The Vita Group Ltd (ASX: VTG) share price is moving upwards today on the back of the company’s first-half results. This is despite Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) spelling the end of its current dealer agreement with Vita, disclosed last week.

    What’s moving the Vita Group share price today?

    Profits buoyed by JobKeeper

    Today’s half-year results for Vita Group portray a challenging half for the company. Revenues dropped 25% to $323.7 million due to retail ICT and accessory volumes impacted by COVID-19.

    On the other hand, the company’s pivot towards its skin health and wellness (SHAW) segment showed strong organic growth. Artisan Aesthetic Clinics experienced a 37% lift in revenues compared to the prior period. This result stems from an increase in client visits and clinic numbers. Additionally, clients have increased their average spending per visitation.

    Shareholders might have caught themselves cheering for the increase in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA). In contrast to the company’s revenue, EBITDA increased by 23% to $32.6 million.

    However, the result isn’t all cheerful – a contributor to this increase was the inclusion of JobKeeper payments. To be precise, the group received net payments of $12 million from the federal government. Underlying EBIT, when excluding JobKeeper actually fell 27% to $16.1 million.

    Telstra uncertainty in the mix

    With the announcement of Telstra’s intention to transition to a full ownership model for all of its stores, the future looks murky for Vita. Vita currently operates a total of 104 Telstra retail stores on behalf of the telco giant. The current agreement will conclude on 30 June 2025, so the clock is ticking for the next 4 years.

    Vita continues to ensure it is in discussions with Telstra to facilitate a suitable transition arrangement. But a week has passed, and no further details have been provided on this front.

    Currently, Vita has stipulated it will continue to manage its Telstra store network in the meantime. Shareholders are anxiously awaiting further information considering the large percentage of revenue derived through its partnership with Telstra.

    CEO Maxine Horne commented on the result and outlook for the company:

    We are pleased to have maintained profitability during a challenging period. Our progress in Artisan is strong and sustainable. The team has done an excellent job of managing our ICT channel and supporting Telstra customers despite COVID-19. We are about to embark on a new chapter.  We have significant capability in running a national, dispersed network and delivering a premium experience, resulting in value for all. The Vita team are disciplined, focused and passionate about looking after our customers and I thank them for their hard work (historical and future) and willingness to adapt and evolve.

    A dividend for your troubles

    Vita Group also announced that it will pay a fully franked interim dividend of 5.6 cents per share. This time last year Vita skimped out on a dividend payment to take a conservative approach during the peak of the COVID-19 crash. Today’s announced dividend represents a 7.7% increase on the interim dividend paid back in 2019. 

    At the time of writing, the Vita Group share price is sitting at 93 cents, up 6.29% in morning trade but down 25% on this time last year.

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  • The Silver Mines (ASX:SVL) share price falls despite positive drill results

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    The Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL) share price is falling today, down 4% at 24 cents in late morning trading.

    This comes despite the ASX silver miner reporting some positive assay results from the diamond drilling program at its Bowdens Silver Project in New South Wales.

    What drilling results did Silver Mines report?

    In today’s ASX announcement, Silver Mines reported the assays from its Bowdens project had revealed “outstanding high-grade drill results”. According to the company, Bowdens is the largest undeveloped silver deposit in Australia.

    Preliminary results returned from the drill hole include:

    • 6 metres @ 471g/t silver equivalent (413g/t silver, 1.14% lead, 0.39% zinc) from 96 metres which includes:
    • 0 metres @ 1090g/t silver equivalent (966g/t silver, 2.86% lead, 0.56% zinc) from 97 metres; and
    • 1 metres @ 874g/t silver equivalent (789g/t silver, 1.67% lead, 0.59% zinc) from 122 metres

    Commenting on the results, Silver Mines managing director Anthony McClure said:

    We are delighted with the recent exploration from Bowdens Silver. Our team has been tenacious in its work in understanding the deposit and its extensions. This current hole BD21002 has produced some of the best intercepts ever returned at Bowdens further demonstrating the quality of the deposit.

    McClure added that the company has 2 rigs on the site to continue with the exploration program to test other high-grade silver targets around the current resource and extensions at depth.

    Silver Mines share price and company snapshot

    As its name implies, Silver Mines is a silver exploration company. The company’s major NSW operations include projects at Bowdens, Barabolar, Webbs, Conrad, and Tuena.

    With the price of silver recently hitting multi-year highs, long-term Silver Mines shareholders have been well rewarded. Over the past 12 months, the Silver Mines share price is up 120%. That compares to a 2% loss on the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

    Year-to-date, the Silver Mines share price is down 7%.

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  • Why the Shaver Shop (ASX:SSG) share price just nudged new highs

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    Shaver Shop Group Ltd (ASX: SSG) shares nudged new highs this morning after the company released its half-year results. In early trade, the Shaver Shop share price leapt around 4% to $1.24, just shy of its $1.25 52-week high.

    At the time of writing, however, Shaver Shop shares have retreated back to $1.19, flat for the day so far.

    What’s impacting the Shaver Shop share price?

    The Shaver Shop share price was temporarily boosted this morning after the company released its results for the first half of FY21.

    Shaver Shop’s report was highlighted by an 85.5% increase in net profit after tax (NPAT) for the first half to $14.2 million. The company also saw a 44.7% increase in gross margins for the period.

    The retailer reported record sales of $123.6 million for the first half, fuelled by its online store. The company highlighted that online sales grew 102% and represented one in every three corporate sales. In addition, sales growth was strongest across higher-margin and hair-cutting products.

    Shaver Shop management noted that the company had benefitted from continued and growing momentum in DIY personal care products.

    In addition, Shaver Shop highlighted the company’s strong balance sheet with $41.1 million cash. As a result, it declared an interim dividend of 3.2 cents per share, a 52.4% increase from the prior corresponding period.

    Outlook

    Despite reporting stellar sales, Shaver Shop did not provide guidance for full-year sales and earnings. The company cited the ongoing uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 for the decision.

    However, Shaver Shop noted that total sales in the first six weeks of the second half were up 17.3% with same store sales up 17.6% for the period.

    Shaver Shop’s Managing Director and CEO Cameron Fox shed some light on the company’s potential outlook. In a statement, Fox stated that “…in store service metrics remain outstanding, which puts us in the best position possible to comp the exceptional growth rates we experienced in Q4 of FY2020.”

    Shaver Shop share price snapshot

    Shaver Shop is a speciality retailer that focuses on male and female personal grooming products. The company currently operates 121 stores across Australia and New Zealand.

    The Shaver Shop share price has gained more than 60% over the past year. This came despite the retail chain’s shares falling as low as 23 cents in March 2020. Based on the current Shaver Shop share price, the company commands a market capitalisation of around $145 million.  

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  • ASX 200 down 0.6%: Cochlear jumps, Goodman upgrades guidance

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    At lunch on Friday the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is out of form and tumbling lower. The benchmark index is currently down 0.6% to 6,843.7 points.

    Here’s what is happening on the market today:

    Cochlear half year results impress

    The Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH) share price is surging higher today after the release of a surprisingly strong half year result. For the six months ended 31 December, Cochlear posted an underlying net profit of $125.3 million. This was only a 4% constant currency decline on its record first half profit in the prior corresponding (and COVID-free) period. Looking ahead, it has provided full year underlying net profit guidance of $225 million to $245 million. This represents a 46% to 59% increase on FY 2020’s profits.

    Pro Medicus founders sell shares

    The Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME) share price is climbing today despite announcing that its founders are selling one million shares each. The two commanded a price of just under $46.00 per share, which represents a total consideration of $46 million each. However, this was less than 4% of their individual holdings and was undertaken following board encouragement. The sales are expected to boost liquidity.

    Goodman upgrades guidance

    The Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) share price is pushing higher after investors responded positively to its half year results. The global integrated property company reported a 16% increase in operating profit to $614.9 million for the half. This was driven by new developments, strong demand, and like-for-like net property income growth of 3%. Also going down well with investors was management’s guidance for the full year. It now expects operating profit growth of 12% in FY 2021. This compares to previous guidance of 9% growth.

    Best and worst ASX 200 performers

    The best performer on the ASX 200 on Friday has been the Cochlear share price with a 7% gain. This follows its half year results release. The worst performer has been the Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) share price with a 5% decline. This may be due to profit taking after a very strong gain yesterday.

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    James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Pro Medicus Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Cochlear Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear Ltd. and Pro Medicus Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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  • The Atomos (ASX:AMS) share price is up 15% in a week

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    The Atomos Limited (ASX: AMS) share price has been on a tear this past week, rising 15% on the back of positive financial results released to the market on Monday.

    The ASX video technology company, which specialises in the development of monitor recorders for video content creators, has seen its share price surge from 93.5 cents at the beginning of this week to $1.08 at the time of writing.

    These most recent gains add to a solid period of growth for shareholders. While not quite back to pre-COVID levels yet, the Atomos share price has soared more than 85% higher since the beginning of November.

    What does the company do?

    Atomos develops recording equipment for video professionals and digital content creators. It aims to create high quality, affordable products to help users easily create and edit high-resolution video. Its products are used on all sorts of projects, from wedding videos and web and TV commercials all the way up to feature films.

    Atomos’ video monitors are currently the only ones in the world capable of recording in Apple’s ProRes RAW codec. A ‘codec’ is essentially a program that allows for faster file transmission through data compression. This technology gives small-time content creators the ability to easily record and share video in up to 8K quality.  

    What was in the company’s financial results?

    Atomos reported record half-yearly sales of $32.8 million for the first half of FY21. Although this was only an increase of 1% over the prior comparative period, it was a significant uplift versus the second half of FY20, when the company only generated $11.8 million in sales.

    Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) also came in at a record $3 million, an increase of 210% over the prior comparative period. This was due to disciplined cost savings during COVID-19, particularly from general administration and marketing expenses.

    What’s the outlook for the rest of FY21?

    Like many companies operating in this current uncertain business climate, Atomos was hesitant to commit to firm earnings guidance for the remainder of FY21. However, the company said it expected “good progress” in the second half, building on the positive momentum already generated this year.

    Commenting on the first-half results, Atomos executive chair Christ Tait said:

    The record results that we have delivered across all financial metrics, highlight the fact that we have emerged from COVID-19 as a leaner and more efficient business.

    Heading into 2H’21, we have a solid tailwind of sales momentum which will be further enhanced by new RAW enabled cameras coming to market, the result of substantial work by our product and development team, along with the roll-out of several new products including our streaming range.

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    Rhys Brock owns shares of Atomos Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Atomos Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Atomos Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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  • Why Cochlear, Goodman, Lovisa, & Whispir shares are surging higher

    Chalk-drawn rocket shown blasting off into space

    In late morning trade the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to end the week on a disappointing note. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.7% to 6,835.5 points.

    Four ASX shares that have not let that hold them back are listed below. Here’s why they are surging higher:

    Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH)

    The Cochlear share price has jumped 8% to $220.40 following the release of a better than expected half year result. The hearing solutions company’s performance improved so much that its underlying net profit of $125.3 million fell only a touch short of its record half year profit from FY 2020. Looking ahead, it has provided full-year underlying net profit guidance of $225 million to $245 million. This represents a 46% to 59% increase on FY 2020’s profits.

    Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

    The Goodman share price is up 2.5% to $17.40 following the release of its half year results. For the six months ended 31 December, the global integrated property company reported a 16% increase in operating profit to $614.9 million. This reflects new developments, strong demand, and 3% like-for-like net property income growth. In light of this strong half, management has upgraded its full year operating profit guidance. It now expects 12% growth in FY 2021 compared to previous guidance of 9% growth.

    Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

    The Lovisa share price has zoomed 16% higher to $12.80. Investors have been buying the fashion jewellery retailer’s shares after investors overlooked its sharp first half profit decline and focused on its strong start to the second half. During the first half, as was widely expected, Lovisa recorded a 26.7% decline in profit after tax of $19.6 million. Positively, during the first seven weeks of the second half, Lovisa has experienced an impressive 12% increase in same store sales.

    Whispir Ltd (ASX: WSP)

    The Whispir share price has surged 9% higher to $4.27. The catalyst for this was news that the company has renewed its business partner agreement with telco giant Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS). Whispir and Telstra have agreed to extend their agreement for a further period of three years. This is on the same terms and conditions as their previous agreement.

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    James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Whispir Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Cochlear Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Telstra Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear Ltd. and Whispir Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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  • Why is the WAM Capital (ASX:WAM) share price on the rise?

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    WAM Capital Limited (ASX: WAM) shares are edging higher in morning trade following the release of the company’s interim results for the first half of the 2021 financial year (H1 FY21).

    At the time of writing, the WAM Capital share price has lifted 0.49% to $4.07.

    What did the company report?

    The Wam Capital share price is in the green today after the asset manager reported an operating profit before tax of $233.4 million. That’s up 144.1% year on year. Operating profit after tax of $166.5 million increased 136.6% from the first half of the 2020 financial year. The company credited the strong performance of its investment portfolio for the results.

    WAM Capital said its investment portfolio gained 22.8% during the half year. That’s a 7.1% outperformance over the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Accumulation Index. (This index also includes company dividends, to give a like-for-like comparison.) For the full 2020 calendar year, WAM Capital’s portfolio gained 9.6%, a 6.0% outperformance of the index.

    Over the half-year period ending 31 December, the company said total shareholder return was 26.8%.

    WAM Capital Chair Geoff Wilson said:

    The December half presented significant corporate opportunities, with WAM Capital announcing takeover offers for Concentrated Leaders Fund (ASX: CLF), Contango Income Generator (ASX: CIE), and amaysim Australia (ASX: AYS). All three offers were net tangible assets (NTA) accretive for WAM Capital’s shareholders.

    The company will pay a 7.75 cent dividend, fully franked. That’s unchanged from H1 FY20, and represents an annualised dividend yield of 7.0%.

    WAM Capital share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, the WAM Capital Share price has fallen by around 12%. That compares to a 1% loss on the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

    The past 6 months have seen an improvement, with WAM Capital shares up 1.2% since 19 August. So far in 2021, the WAM Capital share price is down 7%.

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  • The SelfWealth (ASX:SWF) share price drops 8% despite revenue leap

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    The SelfWealth Ltd (ASX: SWF) share price is falling today, down 8% at 69 cents in morning trade.

    This comes after the release of the online brokerage company’s half-year financial results (H1 FY21).

    What results did SelfWealth report today?

    In this morning’s ASX release, SelfWealth reported a 278% increase in total revenue for the half-year. Total revenue of $8.43 million was up from $2.23 million in the previous corresponding half year.

    Earnings before income, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) came in at a loss of $372,000, a big improvement from the $1.44 million EBITDA loss in H1 FY20.

    The company’s cost of operations soared from $1.45 million in the corresponding half year to $5.25 million in this half.

    SelfWealth reported a 208% increase in active traders, reaching 67,349 at the end of the half-year, and a 379% increase in total trades, up to 756,465. The total client cash held of $435 million was up 220 year-on-year.

    This morning SelfWealth also released a trading update with some results for January and the first weeks of February 2021.

    SelfWealth reports record new numbers in trading update

    The company reported it had achieved a record number of new active traders and a record number of trades in its domestic and United States markets. It said that US numbers were growing particularly strongly, with US trades now close to 10% of its total daily trade numbers.

    Average daily registrations for the company have also soared in 2021, up from 240 per day in the December quarter to 605 per day in January. So far, that increase is keeping pace this month, with an average of 855 daily registrations in February.

    29 January was a record day for the company, with 2,211 registrations on the day. SelfWealth attributed the record numbers to “the peak of the GameStop trading frenzy amidst platform issues and trading restrictions at competing trading platforms”.

    SelfWealth share price snapshot

    Barring the selloff during the COVID-19 market panic last year, when nearly all shares sold heavily, SelfWealth’s shares have been in an upward trajectory for the past 12 months. The SelfWealth share price is up 329% since this time last year. That compares to a 1% loss on the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

    So far in 2021, the SelfWealth share price is up 33%.

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    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.

    The post The SelfWealth (ASX:SWF) share price drops 8% despite revenue leap appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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