• Pfizer says it could know if its COVID-19 vaccine candidate works in October

    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.

    Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) is conducting one of the most advanced trials of a vaccine for COVID-19, and CEO Albert Bourla told an interviewer on Sunday that the drugmaker could know if its candidate is effective by the end of October.

    The healthcare company is researching a slate of possible vaccines in partnership with BioNTech (NASDAQ: BNTX), and a phase 2/3 study evaluating its most advanced coronavirus vaccine candidate, BNT162b2, began in July. That trial is structured to include a total of 30,000 participants who will be given two doses of the vaccine, 21 days apart.

    The assertion that the trial will have garnered enough data by the end of next month for the company to determine whether it’s ready to seek emergency use authorisation from the Food and Drug Administration comes as the healthcare companies have requested permission to increase enrollment in it to as many as 44,000 people. That would allow them to include volunteers as young as 16 years old, as well as people with pre-existing viral infections such as HIV and hepatitis B and C.

    If BNT162b2 proves sufficiently effective to earn a thumb’s up from the FDA, Pfizer and BioNTech believe they’ll be able to provide up to 100 million doses of it by the end of 2020, and up to 1.3 billion doses by the end of 2021. Previously, the companies signed agreements to supply up to 600 million doses to the United States and up to 200 million doses to the European Union beginning later this year. Also, a deal with Japan would see up to 120 million doses sent to that country in the first half of 2021.

    Although Bourla’s statement about the clinical trial timeline is encouraging, there are no guarantees that the timing won’t shift, or that the vaccine will prove effective enough. Last week, the phase 3 study of AstraZeneca‘s rival COVID-19 vaccine candidate was placed on a temporary hold so that researchers could evaluate an isolated safety signal –a good reminder of the uncertainty associated with all such human trials.

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

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    In this FREE STOCK REPORT, Scott just revealed what he believes are the 3 ASX stocks for the post COVID world that investors should buy right now while they still can. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks these could really go gangbusters as we move into ‘the new normal’.

    *Returns as of 6/8/2020

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    Todd Campbell owns shares of Pfizer. His clients may have positions in the companies 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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  • 3 major investing mistakes to avoid at all costs

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

    man sitting in front of lap top with head in hands representing investing mistakes

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

    Investing your money is a great way to grow wealth and set yourself up for a secure future. But if you’re going to invest, the last thing you’ll want to do is fall victim to these blunders that could leave you broke and miserable.

    1. Panic selling

    When the stock market crashes (which happens more often than we’d like), it’s easy to immediately panic and start selling off investments before their value tumbles even more. But if you go that route, you’re likely to lock in losses that could’ve otherwise been avoidable.

    Remember, you only lose money in stocks when you sell investments when they’re down. But some market downturns are only temporary, and if you sit back and ride them out, your portfolio can recover. Just look at what happened earlier this year. In March, stocks plunged into bear market territory, and many investors were convinced we’d be in for a prolonged down market. Instead, those losses were erased by August.

    As a general rule, you should only keep money invested that you won’t need for at least seven years so that you’ll be in a good position to leave your portfolio intact when the market goes south. Stick to that system, and you shouldn’t feel compelled to unload stocks the moment things take a turn for the worse.

    2. Trying to time the market

    Seasoned investors who have been following the stock market for years often struggle to time it, and the same thing is likely to happen to you. Predicting exactly when the broad market will rise or fall is extremely difficult, and it’s a strategy that could cause you to lose out on money for no good reason. Rather than attempt to time the market, pledge to invest consistently.

    A strategy called dollar-cost averaging can help you in this regard. In short, dollar-cost averaging involves investing a certain amount of money at predetermined intervals. For example, you might decide to invest $100 a week in a specific stock or set of stocks, rather than attempt to buy $400 worth of stock at one low point during the month. This way, you’re more likely to end up with a lower average purchase price.

    3. Holding losing stocks for too long

    Not every stock you buy is guaranteed to be a winner, and frustrating as it may be to have an underperforming stock on your hands, you need to know when to cut your losses. If there’s a stock that’s been dropping in value since you bought it while the rest of your portfolio is thriving, you shouldn’t hesitate to cut the cord. Holding onto that stock for longer could mean watching its value sink even further.

    For many people, investing is a work in progress. You might start out with a certain strategy only to have it evolve over time as your budget and appetite for risk change. But whether you’re first starting out as an investor or have been doing it for years, be sure to steer clear of the above mistakes. Doing so will help ensure that your portfolio serves you well, both in the near term as well as the long term.

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

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    In this FREE STOCK REPORT, Scott just revealed what he believes are the 3 ASX stocks for the post COVID world that investors should buy right now while they still can. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks these could really go gangbusters as we move into ‘the new normal’.

    *Returns as of 6/8/2020

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  • Is the NEXTDC share price heading even higher from here?

    nextdc share price

    The NEXTDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) share price has been a very strong performer in 2020.

    Since the start of the year the data centre operator’s shares have stormed 70% higher.

    Is it too late to buy NEXTDC shares?

    I don’t believe it is too late to buy NEXTDC’s shares. In fact, even after their strong gain this year, I feel they are good value for a long term investment.

    This is due to the quality of its data centres and the increasing demand for its services thanks to the accelerating shift to the cloud.

    One broker that agrees that NEXTDC is in the buy zone still is Goldman Sachs. This week the broker reaffirmed its buy rating and $13.20 price target on the company’s shares.

    This price target implies potential upside of almost 19% for its shares over the next 12 months.

    Why is Goldman positive on NEXTDC?

    Goldman Sachs believes that there is still plenty of upside ahead for the NEXTDC share price despite its 70% gain in 2020.

    It commented: “given the significant share price appreciation across 2020 YTD, many investors query the current trading multiples for NextDC (i.e., 22X FY21 EV/Sales vs. peer avg. of 12X) and question whether there is further upside from here.”

    “We argue that given the significant contracted, but not yet billing MW [megawatts], along with material capacity options, a near term multiple based comparison is not necessarily reflective of the true value within this business, and note that should we incorporate the full revenue run-rate of its contracted, but not yet billing MW, along with its options, NextDC would be trading on an FY21 EV/Sales of 10X,” it explained.

    Can the NEXTDC share price go even higher?

    The broker has suggested that the NEXTDC share price could even go beyond its price target and all the way to $20.00.

    Its analysts commented: “Our scenario analysis suggests that a value of $20 per share is possible for NextDC, based on assumptions that are high, but in our view not unrealistic considering the current acceleration in demand that is evident across the business.”

    All in all, I think Goldman Sachs is spot on and NEXTDC would be a great addition to a balanced portfolio.

    These stocks could rocket in a Post-COVID world (FREE STOCK REPORT)

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for more than eight years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    In this FREE STOCK REPORT, Scott just revealed what he believes are the 3 ASX stocks for the post COVID world that investors should buy right now while they still can. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks these could really go gangbusters as we move into ‘the new normal’.

    *Returns as of 6/8/2020

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro owns shares of NEXTDC Limited. 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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  • 3 ASX shares with high-flying dividend yields

    share price higher

    It’s been a struggle to find ASX shares that haven’t slashed their dividends due to difficult trading conditions. COVID-19 has certainly cast an unpredictable environment where once-considered ASX defensive shares have plummeted and retail shares soared.

    While past performance is no guarantee for future results, I believe that any investor seeking high-flying dividend yields should look into these ASX shares. After all, it makes sense to get more bang for your buck.

    Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG)

    The Fortescue share price has stormed 60% higher since the new year. This has been underpinned by the company achieving record revenue in exports on the back of the rising spot price of iron ore.

    I think that strong cash flows will continue for this mining outfit as it boasts the world’s lowest cost margins. Fortescue has heavily invested in its expansion and development plans.

    The $1.7 billion Eliwana Mine and Rail project is expected to be completed by this December. It is estimated that the company will have a production run of 170 million tonnes per year for a 20-year life span. Fortescue shipped 178.2 million tonnes for the year ending 30 June 2020.

    In addition, Fortescue declared a fully-franked dividend of $1.00 per share last month. Total dividends paid for the financial year stood at $1.76 representing a generous yield of 9.9%.

    Harvey Norman Holdings Limited (ASX: HVN)

    The multi-national retailer has had a bumper year thanks to the surge of a sales uptick during COVID-19. Despite temporary overseas store closures, Harvey Norman reported a record result for its full-year earnings in late August.

    I believe the strong shift in consumer behaviour will have a continued impact going into 2021. Harvey Norman has already noted that sales in July and August have increased from the prior corresponding period. Furthermore, overseas sales have improved following the decision to loosen restrictions to the public.

    Shareholders were rewarded with a fully franked dividend of 18 cents, a 50% increase on the 12 cents declared for 1H FY20 results. For the year based on the Harvey Norman share price, total dividend yield stands at 7%.

    JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH)

    JB Hi-Fi has been another standout performer in 2020. The speciality discount retailer saw a 33.2% growth in profits which was underpinned by strong sales. Another contributor was the company’s low-cost operating model that was driven by productive floor space with high sales per square metre.

    In JB Hi-Fi’s outlook, total sales in Australia had grown a massive 42.1% for the month of July and sales at the Good Guys were up 40.4%. While growth is anticipated to slow down due to the forced closure of its Melbourne stores, online sales growth has continued to accelerate.

    The company flowed its profits through to a dividend pay-out of 90 cents. This was reflected a massive 76.5% increase on the prior year and brought the total dividends for the financial year to $1.89. A total dividend yield of 4.2% on top of the rising JB Hi-Fi share price.

    Foolish takeaway

    I think that all three of these ASX shares present a buying opportunity. Each of the companies have seen solid growth over the year and passed their profits onto shareholders. Should their fortunes continue, investors will be seeing new share price highs in the near future.

    Where to invest $1,000 right now

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for more than eight years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes are the five best ASX stocks for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they are great buys right now.

    *Returns as of June 30th

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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. 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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  • Will the Star Entertainment (ASX:SGR) share price boom in 2021?

    Casino Chips Winning Hand representing crown share price

    2020 has been a tough year for the Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR) share price. Shares in the Aussie wagering group are down 32.4% as concerns over the coronavirus pandemic have spooked investors.

    However, the Star Entertainment share price jumped 6.1% higher in yesterday’s trade to close at $3.15 per share. Here’s why this could be the start of a good run for the Aussie casino company.

    Why the Star Entertainment share price can surge in 2021

    Star owns and operates a number of casinos across Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Earnings have slumped in 2020 as many of those venues have been forced to shut their doors.

    On top of state-based restrictions, both domestic and international borders remain shut. That’s not good news for the casino industry which often relies on high-rolling international visitors to bring in the big bucks.

    However, the Star Entertainment share price surged higher yesterday as some optimism returned to the market. On top of that, an article in the Australian Financial Review (AFR) noted Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) has tipped Star as a potential outperformer in 2021.

    Macquarie suggests that Star could benefit from the next phase of the pandemic recovery. Star is potentially a big winner from any successful vaccine in the form of higher foot traffic and earnings.

    Importantly, Star now has exclusivity over the NSW poker machine market for casinos for the next 20 years following recent negotiations.

    Fellow rivals like Crown Resorts Ltd (ASX: CWN) and SKYCITY Entertainment Group Limited (ASX: SKC) have also seen their values fall.

    Is now the time to buy?

    I think there’s little doubt that the Star Entertainment share price is a speculative buy right now.

    Much of the next 12-18 months of share market performance relies on the vaccine success and economic recovery.

    If we see a successful vaccine candidate in early 2021, I think Star Entertainment is one ASX share to put back in the buy zone.

    These 3 stocks could be the next big movers in 2020

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for more than eight years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    In this FREE STOCK REPORT, Scott just revealed what he believes are the 3 ASX stocks for the post COVID world that investors should buy right now while they still can. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks these could really go gangbusters as we move into ‘the new normal’.

    *Returns as of 6/8/2020

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    Motley Fool contributor Ken Hall has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Crown Resorts Limited and Sky City Entertainment Group 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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  • 3 ASX dividend shares to buy in a downturn

    man placing business card in pocket that says dividends signifying asx dividend shares

    The ASX dividend shares could be back in the buy zone. The August earnings season told me that many Aussie companies can still give investors a handy income stream.

    It’s not as simple as just buying dividend shares, especially in the current market. I think it’s worth considering some companies with both upside potential and downside protection in 2020.

    3 ASX dividend shares to buy in a downturn

    I think Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) is worth a look. Telstra maintained its 16 cents per share dividend in its August full-year result.

    That’s good news for shareholders and means management expects to maintain cash flow in the near-term. I think that 3.5% dividend yield gives Telstra shares some downside protection.

    However, I also believe there is upside for Telstra. The company is shaping up as a leader in the 5G network space which could be good news for future earnings.

    Telstra isn’t the only ASX dividend share that I like in 2021. The Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) share price is up 2.6% for the year and could be climbing higher.

    Super Retail has some strong brands like Supercheap Auto and Rebel Sport which I think could see further growth. The coronavirus pandemic has seen a spike in earnings but the medium-term is still looking good.

    More time spent at home could be good news for home exercise sales while tighter economic conditions could see car repairs sales surge.

    Super Retail shares are yielding 1.90% and the ASX dividend share could be a good buy for income and capital gains.

    If Super Retail is a little too discretionary for your liking, I think Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) is worth a look.

    The Coles share price is up 14.2% in 2020 with a 3.4% dividend yield. Coles’ supermarket earnings should be largely immune to an economic downturn.

    That means the ASX dividend share could be a strong portfolio addition in the event of a downturn.

    Man who said buy Kogan shares at $3.63 says buy these 3 ASX stocks now

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for more than eight years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    In this FREE STOCK REPORT, Scott just revealed what he believes are the 3 ASX stocks for the post COVID world that investors should buy right now while they still can. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks these could really go gangbusters as we move into ‘the new normal’.

    *Returns as of 6/8/2020

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    Motley Fool contributor Ken Hall has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Super Retail Group Limited and Telstra Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of COLESGROUP DEF SET. 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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  • Why AGL Energy (ASX:AGL) and these ASX shares just hit new lows

    Although the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was back on form on Monday and stormed higher, not all shares were able to climb higher with it.

    In fact, some ASX shares not only dropped lower, they dropped to 52-week lows or worse.

    Here’s why these ASX shares are down in the dumps right now:

    AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL)

    The AGL Energy share price dropped to a multi-year low of $14.68 on Monday. The energy company’s shares have been sold off this year after a disappointing performance in FY 2020 and weak guidance for the 12 months ahead. AGL Energy reported an underlying profit after tax of $816 million for FY 2020. This was a 22% decline on the prior corresponding period. Looking ahead, another sizeable decline in profits is expected in FY 2021. Management has provided underlying profit after tax guidance of $560 million and $660 million this year.

    Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG)

    The IAG share price tumbled to a multi-year low of $4.62 yesterday. The insurance giant’s shares have come under significant selling pressure this year after a terrible performance in FY 2020. For the 12 months ended 30 June 2020, IAG reported a 49.6% decline in net profit from continuing operations to $439 million. This was driven by the material narrowing in its insurance margins and forced the suspension of its dividend. Judging by its share price decline, I suspect the market believes the worst is not over for IAG.

    Laybuy Holdings Ltd (ASX: LBY)

    The Laybuy share price crashed to a new low of $1.48 on Monday. This means the newly listed buy now pay later provider’s shares are now trading within touching distance of their IPO price of $1.41. This is significantly lower than the high of $2.30 it reached on its first day of trade. A number of buy now pay later shares have come under pressure this month after PayPal announced its plan to enter the lucrative market with its Pay in 4 product. There are concerns that this could stifle the growth of some of the smaller players.

    These 3 stocks could be the next big movers in 2020

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for more than eight years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    In this FREE STOCK REPORT, Scott just revealed what he believes are the 3 ASX stocks for the post COVID world that investors should buy right now while they still can. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks these could really go gangbusters as we move into ‘the new normal’.

    *Returns as of 6/8/2020

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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. 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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  • Can the Harvey Norman (ASX:HVN) share price push higher in 2021?

    two people walking along carrying shopping bags

    The Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN) share price has been outperforming this year. Shares in the Aussie retailer are up 4.2% while the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 11.8% for the year.

    Here’s why I think the Harvey Norman share price has further to run in 2021. 

    Why the Harvey Norman share price is climbing

    Strong earnings has been the key to a surging Harvey Norman share price.

    The Aussie retailer reported a record full-year earnings result with $8.46 billion in FY20 sales revenue. Underlying net profit after tax climbed 30.9% to $462.2 million with operating cash flow of $1.1 billion.

    That saw the company pay a fully-franked 18 cents per share dividend to be paid on 2 November.

    The Harvey Norman share price is yielding a tidy 4.3% right now. That’s a pretty good return given the challenges facing many Aussie companies right now.

    Why the ASX retail share has further to run

    A persistently high Aussie dollar could be good news for the Harvey Norman share price.

    The Aussie retailer is a net importer of products. That means a strong domestic currency makes those purchases relatively more cheap and profit margins can be boosted.

    I still think there is also further room for sales volumes to grow. Aussies stocked up on home office electronics when the coronavirus pandemic began but I think we could see further investment.

    However, a shift in working arrangements could see more housing activity. With more Aussies moving residences, the demand for a suite of electronics could surge.

    It’s interesting to note that Harvey Norman has started the year strongly in FY21. That includes an uptick in sales for July and August with overseas sales recovering quickly.

    Is it all good news?

    Harvey Norman still faces some intense competition. That’s especially the case with Kogan.com Ltd (ASX: KGN) continuing to make big strides.

    It’s tough to predict what FY21 will hold for the retail sector. Harvey Norman does have a strong online presence which may help mitigate some of the impact from COVID-19 restrictions.

    I think the 10.8 price to earnings (P/E) ratio and 4.3% dividend yield still make the Harvey Norman share price worth a look in 2020.

    These stocks could rocket in a Post-COVID world (FREE STOCK REPORT)

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for more than eight years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    In this FREE STOCK REPORT, Scott just revealed what he believes are the 3 ASX stocks for the post COVID world that investors should buy right now while they still can. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks these could really go gangbusters as we move into ‘the new normal’.

    *Returns as of 6/8/2020

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    Ken Hall 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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  • Is the Tassal (ASX:TGR) share price a strong buy?

    Salmon farmer holding large fish

    The Tassal Group Limited (ASX: TGR) share price is down 15.8% in 2020. That’s not good news for shareholders but it could mean a buying opportunity for keen-eyed investors.

    Why the Tassal share price is under pressure

    The coronavirus pandemic has had a couple of big impacts for Aussie food producers.

    On the one hand, supermarket sales have been surging higher in 2020. That means demand for products has surged and seen earnings for downstream producers climb higher.

    However, weak export markets and a shutdown of the hospitality industry has hurt potential growth. Tassal still managed to report a solid full-year earnings result with strong retail trade offsetting weaker restaurant revenues.

    Tassal reported a 0.3% increase in full-year revenue to $562.6 million with net profit climbing 13.3% higher to $64.2 million.

    However, operating cash flow slumped 44.5% to $49.9 million with Tassal expecting prawns to be a big money-maker in FY21.

    I also think strong operating earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) bodes well for 2021.

    The Tassal share price has fallen lower but I think the group has shown it can execute its strategy with a heavy focus on risk management.

    Is the Aussie food company in the buy zone?

    Tassal shares are trading at a cheap price to earnings (P/E) ratio of 10.4. It’s difficult to compare Tassal given how unique its business is. However, other good primary producing companies are relatively more expensive.

    That includes the Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA) share price. Bega shares are currently trading at a P/E ratio of 54.0 after surging higher in 2020.

    The Tassal share price has slumped lower in 2020 but it is also paying a tidy dividend. Tassal shares are yielding 5.1% right now compared to 1.9% for Bega.

    Foolish takeaway

    The Tassal share price has slumped lower in 2020 but could be back in the buy zone. With a handy dividend yield, strong FY20 earnings and a cheap P/E ratio, Tassal could be a handy portfolio addition.

    These stocks could rocket in a Post-COVID world (FREE STOCK REPORT)

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for more than eight years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    In this FREE STOCK REPORT, Scott just revealed what he believes are the 3 ASX stocks for the post COVID world that investors should buy right now while they still can. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks these could really go gangbusters as we move into ‘the new normal’.

    *Returns as of 6/8/2020

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Ken Hall 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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  • Top ASX dividend shares to buy in September 2020

    seedling plants growing out of rolls of money representing dividend shares

    Along with our Top ASX Stock Picks for September 2020 and our Top ASX growth shares to buy in September 2020, we also asked our Foolish writers to pick their favourite ASX dividend shares to buy this month.

    Here is what the team have come up with…

    Aaron Teboneras: Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR)

    Dicker Data has been a great option for investors seeking frequent and reliable dividends. In its interim results released last month, Dicker Data achieved a record revenue of more than $1 billion and rewarded shareholders with a fully franked dividend of 7.5 cents. Total dividends for the past 12 months have tallied 38 cents, representing a dividend yield of 5.1%. paid in quarterly instalments.

    Dicker Data has increased its focus on small-to-medium business enterprises and is currently building a new distribution centre to meet its increasing demands. I think the company is well-positioned for the future and will continue to pay growing dividends.

    Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras owns shares in Dicker Data Ltd.

    Daniel Ewing: Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)

    The Telstra share price has been sinking lower recently and is showing no signs of slowing down. The company has been on a slide since its disappointing FY20 results.

    However I’m confident the long-term outlook for Telstra is positive. I believe the telco giant’s T22 plan is bound to start reaping rewards as it seeks to strip out costs and simplify the Telstra business. As such, I think the trailing dividend yield of 5.61% on offer is a bargain which investors should take advantage of.

    Motley Fool contributor Daniel Ewing owns shares in Telstra Corporation Ltd.

    Sebastian Bowen: JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH)

    JB Hi-Fi is not a company that normally comes to mind for dividend investors. Yet it has a strong record of growing its shareholder payouts and offers a solid starting yield today. Its latest final dividend came in at 90 cents per share, which was paid out on Friday and represented a 76% increase on FY19’s final dividend of 51 cents per share. Not a bad performance for the year of the pandemic. That gives JB shares a trailing yield of 4% on recent pricing, which also comes fully franked. I don’t think any ASX share in the retail space can match this recent dividend record, and this makes JB a perfect income share for September in my eyes.

    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen does not own shares in JB Hi-Fi Limited. 

    Lloyd Prout: Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

    Macquarie is the only bank that I would buy on the ASX. Why? Because the term ‘millionaire maker’ doesn’t just apply to the bank’s rich clients, but also to its investors. Over the past decade, Macquarie has provided total annualised returns of over 16% per annum. Despite this, investors have a nice entry point with shares trading around 20% off their February highs at the time of writing.

    Macquarie has more international exposure than the other big banks, as well as an investment banking arm which provides greater optionality than its competitors. It currently pays a partially franked 3.4% dividend yield.

    Motley Fool contributor Lloyd Prout owns shares in Macquarie Group Ltd and expresses his own opinion.

    Tristan Harrison: Vitalharvest Freehold Trust (ASX: VTH) 

    Vitalharvest is an agricultural real estate investment trust (REIT) which owns berry and citrus farms. 

    Looking at the distribution, it offers a yield of 6.2%. But I think this could grow for two reasons. It has a profit-share agreement with its tenants for the farms that are rented. Those farms have suffered negative impacts from the drought but those conditions could materially improve in FY21. 

    It’s also under new management that will focus on more consistent properties like food processing and logistics. The Vitalharvest share price of 78 cents (at the time of writing) is a 14% discount to the FY20 net asset value of 91 cents.  

    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison does not own shares in Vitalharvest Freehold Trust.

    Daryl Mather: Base Resources Limited (ASX: BSE)

    Base Resources is a mineral sands miner with operations in Kenya and a project in Madagascar. Its net profit after taxes for FY20 was $39.6 million, a slight reduction on FY19 due to reduced ore grade. Nevertheless, it intends to increase production by 50.2% in FY21.

    The company pays its maiden dividend this year of 3.5 cents. Based on Monday’s price of 30 cents, this payment will yield 11.7%. The Base Resources share price goes ex-dividend on Friday 18 September, paying out on 7 October.

    I think this is a good, cheap prospect for short-term dividend yield and medium-term share price growth.

    Motley Fool contributor Daryl Mather does not own shares in Base Resources Limited.

    Glenn Leese: Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN)

    Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is sometimes overlooked when compared to the big four banks, however its operation is anything but insignificant. Founded in 1858 (yes, it’s over 160 years old) and operating over 500 branches across multiple brands, its network is large. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank offers all the services of a big bank, competing across multiple product suites.

    Ideally, you want stability and growth in a dividend share. After all, dividends mean cash flow. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has more than doubled its dividend yield in the last decade, from 4.7% in 2010 to 9.7% in 2020. Importantly, during the pandemic, it has kept dividends flowing and increasing.

    In my view, this bank would make an excellent addition to any dividend portfolio.

    Motley Fool Contributor Glenn Leese does not own shares in Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd.

    Bernd Struben: Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP)

    When you’re hunting for dividends, you should never ignore a company’s long-term share price outlook. Which brings me to Stockland, a property development company operating in retail, industrial and residential properties, including retirement villages.

    Stockland has yet to recover from its 67% share price crash during the COVID-19 panic selling. But it did gain 53% from 4 January 2019 through to 21 February this year. This is a trend I believe it can repeat post COVID.

    Stockland paid two dividends this year, 13.5 cents on 28 February and 10.6 cents on 31 August for an annual dividend yield of 6.5%, unfranked.

    Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben does not own shares in Stockland Corporation Ltd.

    James Mickleboro: Bravura Solutions Ltd (ASX: BVS)

    I think that Bravura Solutions would be a great option for income investors in September. I wouldn’t normally class the provider of software products and services to the wealth management and funds administration industries as a dividend share, but a sizeable pullback in its share price has made it one.

    Based on the current Bravura share price, I estimate that it offers investors a forward 3.3% dividend yield. Pleasingly, given the quality of its software products and their massive global market opportunity, I believe it is well-placed to grow this dividend at a very strong rate over the next decade.

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro does not own shares in Bravura Solutions Ltd.

    Chris Chitty: Harvey Norman Holdings Limited (ASX: HVN)

    Harvey Norman has seen significant success lately as people have rushed to buy up furniture and home appliances during coronavirus restrictions. It now trades on a trailing fully franked dividend yield of 7.7% at the time of writing. Additionally, Harvey Norman goes ex dividend on 9 October 2020 so it’s not too late for investors to receive the final dividend.

    While there has been a definite move toward online retail during the pandemic, Harvey Norman’s brick and mortar stores have performed relatively well and it is currently opening new stores in Australia and abroad. The company now has no net debt and is in great shape to extend its track record as a great dividend share.

    Motley Fool contributor Chris Chitty does not own shares in Harvey Norman Holdings Limited. 

    Brendon Lau: Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)

    The unloved telco slumped to around a near two-year low after delivering a disappointing outlook with its uninspiring FY20 profit result. But with the Telstra share price this low, the dividend yield is looking interesting even if you assumed a dividend cut.

    While analysts seem divided on whether Telstra’s 16 cent per share annual dividend is sustainable, I think it’s more likely than not that management will lower the dividend by 2 cents per share. Even then, the share is still yielding close to 7% if you include franking (based on the share price of $2.86 at the time of writing). That’s a good yield. Just ask any big bank investor.

    Motley Fool contributor Brendon Lau owns shares in Telstra Corporation Ltd.

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    The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Bravura Solutions Ltd, Dicker Data Limited, Macquarie Group Limited, and Telstra Limited. 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.

    The post Top ASX dividend shares to buy in September 2020 appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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