The Archtis Ltd (ASX:AR9) share price has rocketed today as the company announced a landmark deal with the Australian Department of Defence. The Archtis share price soared 25% higher to 52.5 cents in early afternoon trade before dropping back to 50 cents at the time of writing.

What Archtis does

Archtis is a Canberra-based cyber security technology company that specialises in the safe design and development of cloud based, secure information management and collaboration software. Since its establishment in 2006, the company has provided cyber security consulting and infrastructure and software development services to Australian government clients.

In a bid to commercialise its services, Archtis launched its software-as-a-service (SaaS) Kojensi platform last year to service government, defence and commercial clients.

Landmark contract win for Archtis

Archtis’s share price was sent flying today as the company announced a $4.2 million deal with the Australian defence department. It includes three licences of the Archtis Kojensi platform and will be used to perform risk reduction activity for multinational information sharing and cross domain services. The risk reduction activity will be conducted over the next 12 months. It will include development, building and accreditation activities to provide defence.

Furthermore, it will provide an information-sharing architecture pattern for cross and multi domain services between different allied partners. Thus the contract has the potential to springboard Archtis into prominence as its product will be shared with other large allied nations.

This is the company’s largest contract to date, reflecting its growing maturity and the defence force’s commitment to investing in premium sovereign information security capabilities.

Archtis CEO Daniel Lai said:

I am delighted that Archtis has been selected to lead this risk reduction activity. The need to share, control and trust information in the warfighter domain, between forces and with allies remains a critical requirement and archTIS is well-positioned to deliver on this.

What now for the Archtis share price?

The Archtis share price has performed exceptionally well this year to date with the growing awareness around cyber security providing a strong tailwind. Archtis’s share price is currently up 300% so far this year.

More reading

• The Archtis share price soars on new contract
• The Archtis share price has doubled in a week! Here’s why

Motley Fool contributor Daniel Ewing 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 (Index:^AXJO) surrendered its morning gains as did most of the major miners. But the Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) share price is proving to be one of the few exceptions.

The 1.2% jump in Rio Tinto’s share price to $100.25 this afternoon is made even more notable as speculation swirls that is may be forced to boot its chief executive.

The Australian Financial Review reported that Jean-Sebastien Jacques and top of his top lieutenants may be forced to resign after the miner “accidentally” blew up the culturally significant Juukan Gorge.

Rio Tinto shares upgraded to “buy”

But investors aren’t too fussed even as the BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price dips into the red and Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) share price loses 0.8% to $17.86.

Perhaps an upgrade by Citigroup could be making the difference. The broker declared the stock its top pick for the sector as it lifted its recommendation on Rio Tinto to “buy” from “neutral”.

This bullish review comes after Citi admitted that it had been too pessimistic about the iron ore price.

Iron ore price stronger for longer

“While we expect a modest price pullback in the iron ore near term, we now forecast benchmark iron ore to stay in a range of US$100-$120/t for the balance of 2020,” said the broker.

“We also lift forecasts for 2021-23 based on a more constructive Chinese steel demand outlook.”

Citi is now expecting iron ore prices to average US$90 a tonne in 2021, US$80 a tonne in 2022 and US$75 a tonne in the following year. This compares to its previous forecast of US$60 to US$65 a tonne for the three years.

China and Brazil driving upgrades

“A re-focus on the domestic market as a key growth driver, highlighted during the mid-year politburo meeting, suggests that steel-intensive sectors including property, infrastructure and automotive sectors remain key pillars for China’s economic growth,” added the broker.

“As a result, we now expect steel end use demand to rise 1-2% y/y per annum during 2021-23, compared to our earlier forecast of a modest 1% decline per annum.”

It’s not only stronger demand from China that is driving the upgrade. The broker also thought supply would be better than reality but the devastating COVID-19 outbreak in Brazil is curbing output.

Big earnings boost

While Citi isn’t its long-term price projection for the steel making mineral to fall to US$60 a tonne, it acknowledges that the commodity will take a longer than expected time to get there.

The brighter near to medium-term forecast for iron ore will lead to a big increase in earnings for iron ore stocks. But Rio Tinto is the best placed to benefit given size of iron ore footprint.

However, it isn’t only Rio Tinto that got upgraded. Citi also lifted its rating on the Mount Gibson Iron Limited (ASX: MGX) share price to “buy” from “neutral”, although it calls the smaller miner a “high-risk” investment.  

More reading

• Is the Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) share price a quality buy for ASX dividends?
• ASX 200 up 0.7%: Nearmap (ASX:NEA) launches capital raising, Afterpay (ASX:APT) rebounds
• Should you ‘buy the dip’ with ASX shares?
• Should you buy Bega Cheese (ASX:BGA) shares at near an all-time high?
• An all-weather ASX resources shares strategy

Motley Fool contributor Brendon Lau owns shares of BHP Billiton Limited and Rio Tinto Ltd. 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.

The post Why the Rio Tinto share price is outperforming its peers appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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If you’re looking for some new additions to your portfolio, then I think the S&P/ASX 50 index is a good place to start.

This large cap index is home to 50 of the largest and most liquid shares listed on the ASX by float-adjusted market capitalisation.

Two ASX 50 shares that I would buy today are listed below:

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

One of my favourite ASX 50 shares is Goodman Group. This integrated commercial and industrial property company owns, develops, and manages industrial real estate globally. At present it has a portfolio of warehouses, large scale logistics facilities, and business and office parks across a total of 17 countries. 

While there are a lot of property companies to choose from on the Australian share market, few (if any) have as bright a future as Goodman Group in my opinion. This is due to the way the company has built its portfolio to give it exposure to industries benefiting from structural tailwinds such as online, logistics, food, consumer goods, and the digital economy. 

Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Another ASX 50 share to consider buying is Telstra. Although times have been hard for the telco giant, I believe its long term outlook is very positive. This is thanks largely to its T22 strategy which is stripping out costs and simplifying its business. In addition to this, with the end of the NBN rollout now in sight, the company could soon return to growth.

In light of this, I think now would be a good time to consider a long-term investment. Especially if you’re looking for dividends in this low interest rate environment. Based on the current Telstra share price, it will offer investors a 5.6% fully franked yield in FY 2021 if it is able to maintain its current dividend of 16 cents per share.

More reading

• Why I would buy Telstra (ASX:TLS) and 1 other ultra-cheap ASX share today
• Whispir (ASX:WSP) share price sinks 9.5% lower on major shareholder sell-down
• Why the Telstra share price is a good buy for dividends
• 3 ASX shares for growth, income, and value investors to buy right now
• ASX 200 Weekly Wrap: Friday crash pulls ASX back below 6,000 points

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended 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 Why I would buy Telstra (ASX:TLS) and this outstanding ASX 50 share appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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Shares in ASX-listed airliner Regional Express Holdings Ltd (ASX: REX) have tripled since March.  

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc on the airline industry, shares in Australia’s largest regional airliner are soaring.

Here’s why the Regional Express share price has been flying and why it could be a long-term buy.

How has Regional Express performed?

Late last month, Regional Express released its annual report for FY20.

Despite receiving $53.9 million from the Federal Government, Regional Express recorded a statutory loss after tax of $19.4 million.  The loss is a huge turnaround for the company, after recording a profit of $17.5 million the previous financial year.

Regional Express has been able to ride out the pandemic with total revenue of $321 million. Government subsidies were the company’s second largest source of revenue. In the 12 months to June 20, Regional Express noted it had received $63 million in government subsidies and grants.

Turnover for the full year also remained flat at $321.8 million. However, Regional Express assured investors that the airliner remained profitable on an underlying basis. The airline’s passenger revenue fell $65 million in the last quarter of FY20. Despite this Regional Express was able to post a small underlying profit before tax of $250,000.  

What’s fuelling the Regional Express share price?

The Regional Express share price has been flying on the back of expansion to its domestic operations.

Earlier this year, the airliner announced it would be expanding its domestic operations into the ‘Golden Triangle’. In local aviation terms, the ‘Golden Triangle’ refers to the lucrative domestic routes between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

As a result, Regional Express is looking to raise $30 million to support the initiative by purchasing a set of narrow-body jets to be based in major cities on the east coast. 

Should you invest in Regional Express?

Regional Express currently dominates regional services, covering 85% of the routes on offer.

The company is headed by a strong board and management. If Regional Express can build on existing infrastructure and maintain a low-cost base, they should maintain profitability.

However, expansion of its operations could come with additional risks.

Firstly, it’s important to note that the aviation industry remains highlight volatile given the COVID-19 pandemic. Until there is a full recovery, the sector will see more money going into capital than profits coming out.

Therefore, there is no need to jump the gun and invest at the current Regional Express share price, which is trading at the time of writing at $1.02. In my opinion, investors have plenty of time to assess conditions before making an investment decision.

More reading

• Qantas share price is facing this new challenge in FY21

Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram 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 Buddy Technologies Ltd (ASX:BUD) share price has continued its impressive run as once again it broke its record for orders of smart lights. The Buddy share price is currently trading 3.75% higher at 83 cents.

Smashing orders

It seems not long ago that I was writing about the last time Buddy announced record smart light orders. Sure enough, less than 3 weeks ago, the Buddy share price soared 19% as they hit light orders of $4.3 million. Nonetheless, that record has been swiftly eclipsed as the company announced orders of $10.5 million for its smart lights.

The record number of orders are aimed to help meet 4th calendar quarter holiday demand in Europe and North America. They exclude the LIFX Clean and LIFX Switch, with both expected to be ordered separately and subsequently. The Buddy share price exploded as the LIFX clean was announced in late August. 

Buddy CEO David McLauchlan described 2020 as “a remarkable year of disruption and dislocation, none more so than for our Melbourne-based team who have admirably kept up an amazing level of productivity and good spirits despite the COVID-19 curfews and lockdown in place there. Their efforts, and the patience and support of our shareholders, is being rewarded with orders flowing in, and the company now having more lights currently in the process of being manufactured and shipped, than at any other time in the company’s history.”

What does Buddy do?

Founded in 2006, Buddy Technologies provides cloud-based technology that aims to make its customers’ work and living spaces smarter, via IoT connected devices.

Buddy’s consumer business trades under the LIFX brand and is a provider of smart lighting solutions. The company has a wide portfolio of Wi-Fi enabled lights that are used in nearly 1 million homes and sold in more than 100 countries.

Where to now for the Buddy share price

The Buddy share price has been driven by good news in recent months capped off by its impressive results in late August. The light manufacturer’s share price is now up a huge 105% for the year.

More reading

• The Buddy share price is up 33% higher today. Here’s why
• Buddy share price leaps 18% following letter to shareholders
• Buddy share price soars 19% on record orders

Motley Fool contributor Daniel Ewing 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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If you’re looking for a reliable source of income in these uncertain times, then I think the ASX dividend shares listed below would be great options.

Both look well-positioned to continue paying their dividends as normal over the coming years despite the pandemic. Here’s why I think they are among the best on offer on the ASX right now:

BWP Trust (ASX: BWP)

The first reliable dividend share to buy is BWP. It is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in and manages commercial assets which are predominantly leased to home improvement giant, Bunnings Warehouse.

Given the strength of the Bunnings business and the fact that the retail giant is owned by major BWP shareholder Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), I believe the REIT is well-positioned to grow its income and distribution at a consistent rate over the next decade. Based on the current BWP share price, I estimate that it offers investors a forward 4.4% yield.

Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)

Rural Funds is an agriculture-focused property company which aims to grow its distribution by 4% per annum over the long term. The good news is that I believe it is well positioned to deliver on this thanks to its high quality portfolio of assets and its ultra long tenancy agreements.

In respect to the latter, at the end of FY 2020 the company’s weighted average lease expiry stood at almost 11 years. What’s even better is that these leases contain fixed rental increases. Barring some extraordinary events, this almost guarantees a growing and reliable rental income stream over the next decade. In FY 2021, management intends to increase its distribution by 4% to 11.28 cents per share. Based on the latest Rural Funds share price, this equates to a 5% yield.

More reading

• Smash low interest rates with these high yield ASX dividend shares
• New to investing? Here are 5 ASX dividend shares to buy now
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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended RURALFUNDS STAPLED. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of Wesfarmers 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.

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There is something of a consensus going around the ASX circles that there are ‘no cheap shares left’ in this market right now – or at least no cheap shares left that aren’t cheap for a reason. But often it’s this ‘reason’ which is worthy of examination. Sometimes the market makes assumptions about a particular ASX share which don’t turn out to be all that dire. So here are 2 beaten-down cheap ASX shares that I think the market might be undervaluing today. These companies aren’t perfect but could be a good fit for the right investor at today’s prices.

1) Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra shares are unquestionably cheap right now. At the time of writing, Telstra is trading for $2.87. That’s just a touch off the company’s new 52-week low of $2.81 made last week, and a long way from the 52-week high of $3.94 that Telstra was asking back in February. So why are Telstra shares stuck in the doldrums?

Well, sentiment around the telco has been ebbing since the release of its FY2020 earnings report last month. Telstra disappointed with its guidance for FY21, which implied that the company would have to trim its dividend due to the likelihood it would exceed its earnings payout target. Still, I think there’s a good chance Telstra will keep its 16 cents per share payout steady by switching to a free cash flow metric rather than earnings. The company estimates it will have more than enough free cash flow to cover a 16 cents per share payout in FY21 and beyond.

As such, I think the trailing dividend yield of 5.55% that Telstra offers today comes very cheap and makes for a great deal for a dividend investor.

2) Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM)

Newcrest is our second cheap share today. As the ASX’s largest gold miner, Newcrest shares should theoretically be benefitting from the highest gold prices we have ever seen in 2020 so far. Even today, the gold price is sitting at around US$1,946 an ounce, well above the previous all-time high of US$1,921 that held from 2011 until this year. And that’s after it climbed all the way up to $US2,061 an ounce early last month. Even on today’s pricing, gold is up around 28% for the year. Yet Newcrest shares are only up 6.91% over the same period and are going for $31.85 at the time of writing.

I think the factors that have pushed gold higher in 2020 – namely the massive amount of central bank stimulus going into economies around the world – are here to stay for at least a few years. Therefore, I think the gold price has the potential to push even higher as a result. From where I’m standing, that makes Newcrest shares fairly cheap today. Therefore, I think this company could make a good buying opportunity, particularly if you want to add some counter-cyclical weight to your portfolio that a gold miner can provide.

More reading

• Whispir (ASX:WSP) share price sinks 9.5% lower on major shareholder sell-down
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
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• Why the Telstra share price is a good buy for dividends
• 3 ASX shares for growth, income, and value investors to buy right now

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen owns shares of Newcrest Mining Limited and Telstra Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended 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.

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The Jaxsta Ltd (ASX: JXT) share price is latest market minnow to grab attention following the spectacular rise of the Brainchip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN) share price.

The Jaxsta share price rocketed by over 300% to 11 cents during lunch time trade after it announced a $1.9 million deal with Songtradr.

Under the five-year agreement, Songtradr will pay an upfront licence fee of $500,000 to Jaxsta. In return, Songtradr will have the opportunity to provide a revenue identification and collection service for Jaxsta Pro users.

Convertible note already in the money

The service identifies missing performer income from sound recordings (“Neighbouring Rights”), which should prove popular in this COVID-19 environment with many musicians out of work.

Songtradr will also invest $1.4 million in Jaxsta through a three-year convertible note. The investment is already paying off given that Songtradr can convert the debt to Jaxsta shares at 3.5 cents a pop.

Big dilution could impact on Jaxsta’s shares

If Songtradr elected to convert the entire investment into shares, there will be an extra 40.6 million shares in Jaxsta. That’s a big dilution as that represents around 16% of Jaxsta’s current share base.

However, the cash from the investment will come in handy even though it attracts a 7.5% interest rate.

Also, Jaxsta’s shareholders won’t be complaining as its share price was wallowing at 2.6 cents before the deal was announced.

Still sounding sweet to investors

Additionally, the transaction gives Jaxsta a new income stream as it can collect 20% of net Neighbouring Rights revenues received by Songtradr from Jaxsta users adopting the service after recoupment of the license fee.

“We believe this new revenue-generating product will also drive increased adoption of Jaxsta Pro subscriptions,” said Jacqui Louez Schoorl, CEO and Co-Founder of Jaxsta.

“This partnership with Songtradr highlights the significant opportunities that exist in solving the data-centric challenges faced by the music industry.”

Striking a high note

Jaxsta believes the global Neighbouring Rights market is worth a around US$2.6 billion ($3.6 billion).

“​Ja​xsta has solved a significant piece of the music industry data dilemma and has built a scalable technology solution that integrates neatly into our music rights ecosystem and licensing marketplace,” said Songtradr CEO Paul Wiltshire.

Songtradr claims to be the largest B2B music licensing marketplace in the world. It provides music creators with a rights management and monetisation solution so that they can get paid whenever an advertiser, or media/gaming company uses their music.

Despite the big surge in the JXT share price today, the stock is still down by around 15% since the start of calendar 2020.

More reading

• Why the DroneShield (ASX:DRO), BrainChip (ASX:BRN) and Recce (ASX:RCE) share prices are rising today
• If the ASX BNPL party is over, what’s next?
• 4DS Memory (ASX:4DS) share price rockets 46% higher today
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Motley Fool contributor Brendon Lau 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 IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) share price has been a positive performer on Thursday.

In afternoon trade the student placement and language testing company’s shares are up 3% to $19.37.

Why is the IDP Education share price charging higher?

Investors have been buying IDP Education’s shares today after it was the subject of a positive broker note out of Goldman Sachs.

According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating and lifted its price target by 32% to $22.50.

Even after today’s gain, this price target still implies potential upside of more than 16% over the next 12 months.

Why is Goldman Sachs bullish on IDP Education?

Goldman notes that IDP Education is well positioned for the eventual restart of the international student market.

It also believes that trading conditions are continuing to improve. Its research appears to support the view that there has been a continuation of the utilisation recovery of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) network from the 55% reported as at mid-August.

And while it expects a recovery to pre-COVID volumes to take until in FY 2022, it believes it is well worth sticking with the company until then.

Especially given positive indicators such as the UK starting to open up international travel and pilot programs being discussed in South Australia and the Northern Territory for international students to re-enter Australia.

A positive future.

It is IDP Education’s long term prospects that most excites analysts at Goldman Sachs.

They note that it is a leading player exposed to long dated structural tailwinds in international education and well positioned to increase its market share in the fragmented student placement market.

The broker also sees opportunities from a potential restructure of the IELTS agreement and for further bolt-on acquisitions.

Should you invest?

I agree with Goldman Sachs and believe IDP Education would be a great long term option for investors right now.

Though, at 46x estimated FY 2022 earnings, it certainly isn’t a bargain buy. So I would suggest investors restrict an investment to just a small part of a balanced portfolio.

More reading

• Why Afterpay, Clinuvel, IDP Education, & Saracen shares are charging higher
• Why the IDP Education share price rocketed 50% higher in August
• These were the best performing ASX 200 shares in August
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• These ASX shares were top performers last week

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 Idp Education Pty Ltd. 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 Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) share price has had a phenomenal year in 2020 so far. Wesfarmers shares are today trading at $45.04 at the time of writing. That’s a good 9% higher than they were at the start of the year and 45.5% above the lows we saw on 23 March. Considering the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is still 11.7% below where it was at the beginning of January, shareholders don’t have a lot to complain about the Wesfarmers share price from where I’m standing. Part of Wesfarmers’ appeal is its strong reputation as a solid, reliable dividend-paying share.

Seeing as 2020 has so far been almost defined as the year of the dividend cut (or suspension, deferral or cancellation), I thought it would be a good time to reexamine this ASX blue chip for its current and future income potential.

What is Wesfarmers?

Wesfarmers is one of the largest companies on the ASX. It is a massive conglomerate and quite a unique company among the ‘big players’ on the ASX. It is primarily a retailer – most of Wesfarmers’ earnings come from the Bunnings Warehouse chain of hardware stores. This is augmented by its OfficeWorks chain, as well as Kmart and Target. The company used to also own Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), but has spent the last 2 years or so offloading its’ Coles shares. It now only retains about 5% of the grocery company.

But that’s far from where Wesfarmers’ pies end. It also owns a bevvy of other businesses including chemical and fertiliser manufacturing facilities, a lithium miner, a work clothing line and a gas distribution business. This is about as diversified a business as they come.

What kind of dividends does Wesfarmers pay?

Wesfarmers’ recent dividend history has been very patchy. This is largely due to the lumpy special dividends the company has been periodically doling out over the last couple of years. These have mostly been funded from the Coles sale, which has been especially lucrative for Wesfarmers shareholders.  They also all received one COL share for every WES share owned back in November 2018.

So in 2019, Wesfarmers paid out an interim dividend of $1 per share and a final dividend of 78 cents per share (cps), as well as a special $1 per share dividend.

In 2020, the company has kept the train on the tracks (albeit at a slower speed). It has paid an interim dividend of 75 cps and a final dividend of 77 cps, as well as a special dividend of 18 cps. The final and special dividends will hit investors’ bank accounts on 1 October.

$1.52 in annual dividends gives Wesfarmers a fully franked yield of 3.36% on current prices, or  3.76% if we include the special dividend. Including Wesfarmers’ full franking credits, these numbers gross-up to 4.8% and 5.37% respectively.

Is this yield worth a buy today?

Whilst those yields are respectable, I don’t think they are anything to write home about. The Wesfarmers share price is today quite expensive in my opinion, trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 31.53. If I was desperate for a decent dividend payer, I would consider the Wesfarmers share price a buy. But if you are able to wait, I think there will likely be a better buying opportunity down the road.

More reading

• ASX 200 up 0.7%: Nearmap (ASX:NEA) launches capital raising, Afterpay (ASX:APT) rebounds
• Should you ‘buy the dip’ with ASX shares?
• Should you buy Bega Cheese (ASX:BGA) shares at near an all-time high?
• An all-weather ASX resources shares strategy
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of COLESGROUP DEF SET and Wesfarmers 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.

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