Fintech company Cashrewards Limited (ASX:CRW) has started trading on the ASX today following the completion of its successful $65 million initial public offering (IPO).

Minutes after trading began, the Cashrewards share price rocketed up as high as 15.6% to $2.00. It has since retreated to the current price of $1.865, at the time of writing, after initially listing at $1.73.

Proceeds from the IPO

The Cashrewards IPO was strongly supported by both institutions and retail investors. Applications for shares in the financial technology platform significantly exceeded the final raising, resulting in substantial scale back. 

The company says the net proceeds received from the IPO will total $45 million, after payment to selling shareholders and costs associated with the IPO preparation. Cashrewards says these funds will be invested primarily in marketing, product development, and key talent recruitments.

More reading

• Banks rejoice: House prices to return to 2019 levels
• CBA (ASX:CBA) and the ASX banks just had an amazing month
• Fund managers are snapping up these ASX stocks at a record pace
• Here’s when your ASX bank dividends are being paid in December
• Why the banks are back in the ASX 200 spotlight

Motley Fool contributor Eddy Sunarto has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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The 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) share price has surged by almost 8% in trading so far today. This comes after the medical technology company announced its partnership with the University of Miami to advance its breakthrough research on lung technology. At the time of writing, the 4DMedical share price is trading at $2.49 after closing yesterday’s session at $2.31.

What’s driving the 4DMedical share price higher today?

The 4DMedical share price is surging higher after the company advised it has partnered with University of Miami Health System (UHealth) to establish the Functional Lung Imaging Research Program within the university’s Miller School of Medicine.

This is 4DMedical’s first research program in the United States health system. The program will use the company’s proprietary ‘XV Technology’ to improve treatment for patients with chronic lung diseases.

More specifically, it will allow researchers and physicians to accurately diagnose ventilatory abnormalities in patients, providing treatment options that are targeted and more effective.

This research program is also expected to deliver a number of preclinical and clinical studies that will include patients with various lung-related conditions, such as emphysema, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism, and lung cancer.

In technical terms, the research will aim to convert sequences of X-ray images into four-dimensional, quantitative data allowing physicians to better diagnose and treat patients with respiratory diseases.

4DMedical says that its XV Technology is supported by more than 15 years of  research and development in Australia.

More about 4DMedical

4DMedical made its debut on the ASX in August at an initial public offering (IPO) share price of 73 cents. 

Its proprietary product, XV Technology, aims to replace old technology such as X-rays and CT scans which, according to the company, are “out-of-date and not fit for purpose anymore”.

4DMedical’s main clients are obviously hospitals. The company’s main selling point to hospitals is that its software does not require any large capital expenditure and can be integrated with a hospital’s existing systems. 4DMedical charges fees on a per-scan basis, charging US$175 per test using the XV Technology.

The company says its product is still at an early stage, and needs to be commercialised on a mass scale.

About the 4DMedical share price

The 4DMedical share price has shot through the roof since its debut on the ASX in August, having risen by 240% up to today. This rise has been driven by various contract wins and commercialisation of its XV Technology product throughout the year. 

4DMedical currently commands a market capitalisation of around $390 million.

More reading

• Here are the 3 best performing IPO shares in 2020

Motley Fool contributor Eddy Sunarto has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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The BetMakers Technology Group Ltd (ASX: BET) share price has returned from its trading halt and is shooting higher on Wednesday.

In afternoon trade the betting technology company’s shares are up 12% to a record high of 75 cents.

Why is the BetMakers share price shooting higher?

Investors have been fighting to get hold of the company’s shares today after it received firm commitments for an equity raising to fund a major acquisition.

According to the release, BetMakers has received commitments to raise $50 million by way of a placement to fund the acquisition of the assets of leading international online sports betting company Sportech PLC for A$56.2 million.

BetMakers is raising the funds through the issue of 83.3 million new shares at 60 cents per share.

BetMakers’ Managing Director, Todd Buckingham, commented: “BetMakers welcomes the strong support of institutional and sophisticated investors, both existing and new, in the Placement. We also look forward to conducting a Share Purchase Plan offer as an opportunity for all existing shareholders to participate.”

Why is BetMakers acquiring the assets of Sportech?

This acquisition is intended to accelerate BetMakers’ international growth plans and significantly expand its global customer base and strategic position to fully capitalise on emerging opportunities in the U.S. market.

This is particularly the case with fixed odds wagering, which management sees as a key driver of growth in the future.

Management advised that the acquisition is expected to deliver substantial revenues and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the BetMakers’ business.

On a pro-forma basis for FY 2020, the Tote and Digital Business combined with BetMakers’ existing operations would have delivered A$56.1 million revenue and A$7.7 million EBITDA. This compares to the stand-alone revenue of A$9.2 million and EBITDA of A$0.8 million BetMakers recorded in FY 2020.

Mr Buckingham commented: “This Acquisition will supercharge our entry into the U.S. and position the Company for substantial growth on the back of the emerging wagering opportunities in U.S. racing, including Fixed Odds, where we believe we are well placed.”

More reading

• BetMakers (ASX:BET) share price on watch after announcing major acquisition
• Here are the best performing ASX tech shares in November

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. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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The Australian economy is recovering from the coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdowns, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The ABS published its economic data and statistics for the quarter ending 30 September 2020 this morning. It reported that economic activity, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), rose 3.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis for the 3 months ending 30 September.

ABS national accounts head Michael Smedes said that number represented a “partial recovery” for the Australian economy.

The 3.3% growth rate comes after the Australian economy shrank by a record 7% in the previous quarter (the 3 months to 30 June). However, in terms of annual growth, the ABS has recorded a 3.8% drop in GDP for the 12 months ending 30 September.

Mr Smedes said despite “record quarterly growth in household spending”, the level in September quarter was 6.8 per cent lower than that recorded in December quarter 2019.

Spending drives a recovery

The ABS said household spending drove the quarterly recovery, rising 7.9% on average, with a 9.8% increase in spending on services and a 5.2% increase in spending on goods. The rise in ‘services’ spending was concentrated on hotels, cafes, restaurants, and cultural- and health-related services.

All states recorded increased household spending, with the exception of Victoria. That state saw a 1.2% drop, likely due to its extended period of lockdown in recent months.

The ABS said the higher spending lead to “compensation of employees” rising 2.3% over the quarter, as work hours and part-time employment increased. Household savings-to-income ratios fell, but remain “elevated” at 18.9%, compared with 22.1% in the previous quarter.

The ABS noted that net trade detracted 1.9% from GDP during the quarter as well. That was reportedly the largest quarterly detraction since September 1980. This fall was sparked by imports of goods and services rising due to the easing of restrictions, while exports of goods and services fell. The ABS attributed that to “weaker demand for Australian mining commodities and constraints on travel”.

Reserve Bank weighs in

Reporting from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) today quoted Reserve Bank of Australia governor, Dr Philip Lowe, on these numbers:

Given these developments, we are now expecting GDP growth to be solidly positive in both the September and December quarters. And then, next year, our central scenario is for the economy to grow by 5 per cent and then 4 per cent over 2022…

These positive figures, though, cannot hide the reality that the recovery will be uneven and it will be bumpy and it will be drawn out. Some parts of the economy are doing quite well, but others are in considerable difficulty.

Australia is likely to experience a run of years of relatively high unemployment, unemployment being too high and wage increases and inflation being too low, leaving us short of the Reserve Bank’s goals.

The RBA left interest rates at the record low of 0.1% at its monthly meeting yesterday. It will also keep the bond-buying program (which some call quantitative easing) in place for the foreseeable future.

More reading

• Why Appen, Chalice Gold Mines, Piedmont Lithium, & Zip shares are dropping lower
• After a record November, what’s next for ASX 200 shares?
• Elon Musk wants to steer Tesla towards higher profits
• Why Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) and 2 other ASX iron ore mining shares sit at record highs
• Why Laybuy, Mesoblast, Sandfire, & Telix shares are charging higher

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to give back some of yesterday’s strong gains. In afternoon trade the benchmark index is down 0.3% to 6,568.9 points.

Four shares that are falling more than most today are listed below. Here’s why they are dropping lower:

Appen Ltd (ASX: APX)

The Appen share price is down 2% to $31.72. This is despite there being no news out of the artificial intelligence services company. However, a number of tech shares are tumbling lower on Wednesday even after a strong night of trade for the tech-focused Nasdaq index. At the time of writing, the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) is down 0.5%.

Chalice Gold Mines Limited (ASX: CHN)

The Chalice Gold Mines share price has returned from its trading halt and dropped 5% to $3.86. This morning the mineral exploration company announced firm commitments for its $100 million institutional placement. Chalice Gold Mines is raising the funds at $3.75 per new share, which represents a discount of almost 8% to its last close price. These funds will be used to accelerate its exploration activities.

Piedmont Lithium Ltd (ASX: PLL)

The Piedmont Lithium share price is down 5% to 37 cents despite a positive announcement. This morning the US-based lithium miner announced the appointment of Primero Group and Marshal Miller to undertake the definitive feasibility study (DFS) for its planned spodumene concentrate operation in North Carolina. The DFS will target production of 160,000 tonnes per year of spodumene concentrate.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P)

The Zip Co share price is down 1% to $5.97. This following the release of a trading update which revealed a record performance during November. The buy now pay later provider reported record transaction value of $577.1 million for the month. This was up 44% month on month and more than 100% year on year. This was driven by a 157% increase in monthly transaction numbers and a 104% year on year increase in customer numbers to 5.3 million. Investors appear to have been expecting even stronger growth.

More reading

• ASX 200 down 0.2%: Zip’s November update, Mesoblast jumps, Westpac’s asset sale
• Zip (ASX:Z1P) share price higher after record November performance
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Flight Centre and Mesoblast were among the most traded shares on the ASX last week
• ASX 200 drops 0.5%: Treasury Wine sinks, Zip flat after AGM update, Bega Cheese rises

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 Appen Ltd and ZIPCOLTD FPO. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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November 2020 is a month Australian share investors will long recall.

The All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) posted its strongest gains in more than 32 years, going back all the way to March 1988.

And the 10.6% gain on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) delivered the best month for the top 200 ASX shares ever. A record which came despite the index slipping 2.9% from its monthly peak on 25 November.

Investors who sold their shareholdings during the pandemic-fuelled market mayhem earlier this year will have likely been watching those gains notch up as well. All too aware of the 0.6% annual rate they were earning from their term deposits. (Albeit, with far less risk.)

And it wasn’t just ASX shares that enjoyed a stellar month.

United States shares rocketed higher too.

The S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) gained 10.8% in November. And closed another 1.1% higher yesterday (overnight our time), setting a fresh record high on the first trading day of December.

Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQ: .IXIC), which also posted a new record high yesterday, gained 11.8% in November.

And all this as the virus continues to wreak havoc across much of the world and with the much-anticipated trillion-dollar US stimulus package having yet to pass.

So that was last month.

And while this month is off to a good start, with the ASX 200 up again in December so far (at the time of writing), the million-dollar question is can shares continue to march higher into 2021?

What’s next for ASX 200 shares?

Aussie and US investors remain highly bullish on their outlook for share market performance in the year ahead.

A big shorter-term driver for equities could be seeing that stalled trillion-dollar US stimulus package finally given the stamp of approval.

A group of Democratic and Republican senators are pressing for a roughly US$900 billion (AU$1.2 trillion) spending package before the end of the year.

President-elect, Joe Biden, looks to have their back, telling Congress to pass “a robust package” to buoy the world’s largest economy.

And the former head of world’s most powerful central bank and likely next US Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, offered these reassuring words:

To the American people: We will be an institution that wakes up every morning thinking about you, your jobs, your paycheques, your struggles, your hopes, your dignity and your limitless potential.

So what kind of share price gains could investors be looking at?

According to Fundstrat Global, the S&P 500 could see gains of more than 9% in the first quarter of 2021, quoted by the Australian Financial Review:

The equity market backdrop remains bullish with the recent consolidation likely to resolve to the upside through year-end. A doubling [of] the fall 2020 trading range support[s] a move toward S&P 4000 in the first quarter of 2021 and toward a cycle 4400-4600 in 2022/2023 based on the average moves in prior four-year cycles.

(The S&P 500 is currently at 3,662 points.)

Mark Haefele, UBS Global Wealth Management’s chief investment officer, explains why investors, and UBS, remain bullish (quoted by Bloomberg):

Investors have been prepared to look beyond the near-term continued rise in COVID-19 cases in many regions. They have focused instead on the potential for a return to normal social and economic activity based on the widespread roll out of effective vaccines in the first half of 2021. We see further upside for global equities in this environment, but also expect market leadership to continue to shift.

And Bank of America Corp (NYSE: BAC) sees the potential for significant share price gains in 2021 as well (quoted by the AFR):

The Sell Side Indicator (SSI), our measure of Wall Street strategists’ bullishness on stocks, saw another big increase in November to 57.8 per cent from 57.0 per cent. The rise in sentiment puts the SSI at the highest level in 18 months.

With the S&P 500’s indicated dividend yield of 1.6 per cent, this implies a 12-month price return of +8.6 per cent and an S&P 500 level of 3933 in twelve months. This indicator is one of our most bullish target models and highlights that sentiment on stocks is not yet at the euphoric levels one typically sees at the end of bull markets.

Historically, when our indicator has been this low or lower, total returns over the subsequent 12 months have been positive 93 per cent of the time, with median 12-month returns of +17 per cent. However, past performance is not an indication of future results.

Here comes the pent-up demand

Turning the focus back home, the holiday shopping season is upon us.

As reported by the AFR, The National Retail Association (NRA) is forecasting consumer spending will set new records this Christmas season, unleashing the pent-up demand from months in various stages of lockdown.

The Association estimates Aussies will spend $52.3 billion in brick-and-mortar shops, up 5% year on year. And the $5.2 billion of online spending the NRA forecasts represents a phenomenal 53% leap from the 2019 holiday season.

If these figures prove out, that should spell good news for many of Australia’s leading retail shares. Particularly companies with a strong online presence.

Online retailer Kogan.com Ltd (ASX: KGN) could see a fresh lift in demand for its consumer electronics, furniture, and fitness offerings. The Kogan share price, down 35% from its mid-October highs, is up 120% year to date.

Iconic Aussie retailer JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH) – with a strong online and brick-and-mortar presence – could also see a spike in sales for its home entertainment, IT products, white goods and home appliances. The JB Hi-Fi share price is down 11% from mid-October but remains up 22% so far in 2020.

More reading

• Why the Afterpay (ASX:APT) share price and these ASX stocks could get a boost next week
• Kogan (ASX:KGN) share price falls on option grants to top execs
• 3 ASX shares growing the dividend rapidly
• 4 ASX growth shares to buy in December
• Why these All Ords shares have been smashed this month

Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Kogan.com ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Kogan.com ltd. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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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.

According to Elon Musk, the time for Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) to focus on profits has arrived. In a recently written email that was obtained by the EV news website, Electrek, Musk warned the company’s employees that if Tesla’s bottom-line doesn’t reflect significant growth — meeting the market’s expectations — investors will likely pump the brakes and send the stock plummeting.

In the email, Musk states:

When looking at our actual profitability, it is very low at around 1% for the past year. Investors are giving us a lot of credit for future profits, but if, at any point, they conclude that’s not going to happen, our stock will immediately get crushed like a soufflé under a sledgehammer!

In addition, Musk pointed to the necessity of finding new ways to save money in manufacturing. Also from the email, Musk says, “[I]n order to make our cars affordable, we have to get smarter about how we spend money…A great idea would be one that saves $5, but the vast majority are 50 cents here or 20 cents there.”

While the company has never reported positive net income on an annual basis, shares have skyrocketed approximately 1,160% over the past five years as investors drove up the stock on the belief that profits would come at some point down the road. Although Tesla reported its fifth consecutive quarter of profitability in Q3 2020, Musk appears to sense that shareholders are yearning for more.

Profits, undoubtedly, are important, but investors should also appreciate the company’s growing cash flow. For the first time in the past decade, Tesla generated free cash flow on an annual basis, about 3.9% of revenue for fiscal 2019, according to Morningstar. On a trailing-twelve-month basis, this metric has accelerated to 6.5%.

Considering Musk’s ample incentive package revealed in the spring, there should be little surprised that he’s so concerned with Tesla’s stock price.

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

More reading

• 10 most searched shares in Australia
• More Aussies now own Tesla shares than Tesla cars
• Here are the US shares that CommSec customers are buying
• Tesla stock could surge 104% to $1,000, according to this analyst
• Elon Musk is now the world’s second richest person

Scott Levine 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 Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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

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Despite surging COVID-19 cases in Europe and the US, rising trade tensions with China and a strong Australian dollar, ASX iron ore mining shares are still on the rise. The Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO), Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share prices have all managed to stay near record-all time highs. 

Iron ore prices at record highs 

Iron ore prices have held onto 8-year highs, above the US$120 per tonne level. This has been driven by China’s significant infrastructure spending, from renewable energy projects to railways and airports. The significant spending in infrastructure is holding up commodity prices across the board. The Baltic Dry Index, a benchmark for the cost of shipping commodities including iron ore and coal, is at its highest level since September 2019. 

Vale to avoid weakening iron ore markets

Brazil exported a total of 31.2 million tonnes of iron ore in October, down 8.6 percent on the year. Brazilian mining giant, Vale weighed on global supply in the first half of this year following wet weather conditions and COVID-19 related lockdowns. 

More recently, Vale said that it would place caution with ramping up production to avoid driving down the iron ore market. The miner is prepared to increase its production capacity using safer and less polluting methods to 450 million tonnes in the next years. This is almost 50% more than its forecast production for 2020. However, it may ease production if the expected surge in infrastructure and manufacturing in Asia fails to materialise. 

Higher commodity prices means higher dividends 

Higher commodity prices throughout 2020 has allowed ASX iron ore miners to pay market leading dividends. 

In BHP’s full year results, the board announced a final dividend of 55 US cents per share, which includes an additional amount of 17 US cents per share, above its 50% payout policy. This brings its total announced dividends to US$1.20 per share. At today’s prices, this would represent a dividend yield of 4.80%. Similarly, the strong operating performance at a time of high prices has allowed Rio Tinto to pay a dividend yield of 5.90%. 

Fortescue, as a pure iron ore play, has benefited the most from higher iron ore prices. Its net profit after tax in FY20 increased 49% on FY19 to US$4.7 billion. And its shareholders were pleasantly rewarded with an eye watering dividend  yield of 10.30%. 

More reading

• Fund managers are snapping up these ASX stocks at a record pace
• How the biggest companies are the worst investments
• ASX 200 Weekly Wrap: ASX 200 on track for a top month
• 3 ASX dividend shares with 5%+ yields to buy today
• Envirosuite (ASX:EVS) share price soars 12% after AGM

Motley Fool contributor Lina Lim has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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In afternoon trade the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has given back its morning gains and is dropping lower. The benchmark index is currently down 0.3% to 6,570.8 points.

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

Laybuy Holdings Ltd (ASX: LBY)

The Laybuy share price is up 1.5% to $1.42. Investors have been buying the buy now pay later provider’s shares after the release of its November update. According to the release, Laybuy achieved gross merchandise value (GMV) of NZ$71 million in November. This represents an increase of 56% on October’s GMV. It is also well ahead of management’s guidance for November GMV of NZ$61 million.

Mesoblast limited (ASX: MSB)

The Mesoblast share price has jumped 6% higher to $4.38. The catalyst for this was the release of an announcement relating to its remestemcel-L product. Mesoblast revealed that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for remestemcel-L in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19 infection. The Mesoblast share price was up as much as 19% in early trade.

Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR)

The Sandfire Resources share price is up a further 9.5% to $5.26. Investors have been buying the copper producer’s shares this week following its strategy update. One broker that was pleased with what it heard at the update was Morgan Stanley. This morning its analysts retained their overweight rating and $6.60 price target on its shares. It was particularly pleased with its T3 progress.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

The Telix share price has zoomed over 7% higher to $3.99. This follows the release of two positive announcements this morning. The biopharmaceutical company revealed that the US FDA has approved the institutional use of its Ga-PSMA-11 product at the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of California, San Francisco under an academic New Drug Application submission. It also advised that the TGA has given it approval to commence its first-in-human Phase I study of its next generation prostate cancer therapy product, TLX592, in patients with advanced prostate cancer.

More reading

• ASX 200 down 0.2%: Zip’s November update, Mesoblast jumps, Westpac’s asset sale
• Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) share price jumps 19% on FDA update
• Why the Telix (ASX:TLX) share price is up 9% to a new record high today
• Laybuy (ASX:LBY) share price on watch after delivering strong growth in November
• Flight Centre and Mesoblast were among the most traded shares on the ASX last week

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro owns shares of TELIXPHARM DEF SET. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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Once the exclusive domain of professionals, real-time ASX share price data is starting to become available to the average punter.

Popular online broker CMC Markets last week brought its price of ASX live data to $0. It was previously on 20 minutes delay if the user didn’t pay extra.

A mobile trading app, Marketech Focus, also announced this week that real-time data would be shown to its customers as default.

CMC Markets Asia-Pacific and Canada head Matt Lewis told The Motley Fool that the company is bearing the cost of providing this service.

“This feature enables customers to keep on top of price actions in the market,” he said.

“This is a cost CMC Markets will take on from our bottom line to benefit our customers in lowering their overall trading costs.”

Why give away real-time data?

The number of new retail investors performing ‘day trading’ has boomed this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lewis said that CMC’s customers had demanded live data. 

“We want to continue to build on our value offering to help drive success for our self-directed trading community,” he said.

“The decision to offer free live data is driven by customer feedback. We received this feedback and we listened.”

Marketech Focus managing director Travis Clark claimed his app is a trailblazer in the smartphone share trading space.

“Our feature-set, especially streaming real-time pricing, lifts Marketech to a new level of functionality and sophistication not available to most retail traders at this price point and rarely provided by our competitors,” he said.

“It clearly lifts us above opportunistic new share trading apps that typically only offer fairly basic services.”

The upstart budget platform Superhero, which has been dubbed Australia’s version of Robinhood, shows delayed ASX data on its Basic plan. Only an upgrade to the Live plan for $9 per month shows up real-time information.

Real-time share market data could be good for you

An investor behavioural academic told The Motley Fool earlier this year how delayed data encourages dangerous risk-taking.

“Some trading apps offer a low-cost option, which means for a basic account holder, you can only view market data with a delay and you can only place market orders,” said RMIT senior lecturer Angel Zhong.

“The limited data provided to retail investors exacerbate their impulsive buying and selling, as they can’t see a complete picture of the underlying stock.”

However, ultra-low brokerage costs also stoke social trading, which can lead to irrational buying and selling decisions.

“Social trading refers to exchange of stock trading ideas in groups and discussions on social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter and Reddit,” Zhong said. 

“With easy and low-cost trading platforms, retail investors may act on misleading information from social trading and suffer losses in a highly volatile market.”

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Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Tony Yoo 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 Facebook and Twitter. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Facebook. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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