• 2 ETFs for ASX tech investors to buy today

    rise in asx tech share price represented by digitised rocket shooting out of person's hand

    Looking for more information on popular tech-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs)? Then read on!

    Below are two popular ETFs which have been performing strongly for investors in 2020. Here’s what you need to know about them:

    BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

    The BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF share price has risen an impressive 52.5% since the start of the year. Investors appear to be attracted to the fund due to its exposure to some of the most promising technology companies in the world.

    BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers gives investors access to a total of 50 of the largest technology and ecommerce companies that have their main area of business in Asia (excluding Japan). This means investors will be buying a slice of tech giants such as Alibaba, Baidu, JD.com, and Tencent Holdings.

    BetaShares notes that due to its younger, tech-savvy population, Asia is surpassing the West in respect to technological adoption. In light of this, the sector is expected to remain a growth sector for a long time to come.

    BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

    The BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF share price hasn’t performed quite as strongly as the one above, but it is still beating the market. Since the start of the year, it has provided investors with a return of 10.2%.

    As its name implies, the BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF has been designed to track the performance of an index that provides exposure to the leading companies in the global cybersecurity sector.

    BetaShares points out that with cybercrime on the rise, demand for cybersecurity services is expected to grow strongly for the foreseeable future. In addition to this, there is very little exposure to this thematic on the Australian share market, which makes this ETF a unique opportunity for investors.

    Included in the fund are both global cybersecurity giants and emerging players from a range of global locations. Among its top holdings you’ll find Crowdstrike, Okta, Accenture, Cisco, and Cloudflare.

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    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.

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    James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of BETA CYBER ETF UNITS. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF. 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 housing market safe in 2021?

    Real estate, buying, property,REIT

    We Fools are normally in the business of covering the share markets, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and everything in between. We don’t normally stray into in that other market of utmost importance to the Aussie consciousness – property.

    But the two are at least interconnected and rely on one another for support. For example, if the property market was to crash tomorrow, how do you think the share prices of the ASX banks (which make up almost a fifth of the ASX 200) would react?

    Rhetorical questions aside, it’s property we will be discussing today. A lot has been said, and speculated, about the impact of coronavirus on the housing market, both in 2020 and the flow-on effects over the next few years. Since we are in uncharted territory with the pandemic situation, predictions are varied, to say the least.

    But reporting in the Australian Financial Review (AFR) today is unequivocal on the future of the Australian property market: ‘they will never let a housing crash happen’.

    The AFR reports that property research company SQM Research is predicting that the government sees housing as ‘too big to fail’ from a political standpoint, and thus will take steps to insulate the property market from experiencing a major correction or collapse.

    How will property go in 2021?

    The SQM research posits 4 different scenarios for housing in 2021. All are based on variations of future government fiscal stimulus (particularly possible extensions of the JobKeeper program), the success of a coronavirus vaccine candidate, and the level of monetary policy support from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA).

    Importantly, the modelling predicts either flat or positive growth under all 4 scenarios.

    The ‘base case’ is actually the most accretive for the property market. It assumes that the RBA will leave interest rates unchanged at 0.1% and expand its quantitative easing (QE) programs. It also assumes a progressive rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine, a possible third wave of infections, and a JobKeeper extension to 30 September 2021. Under this scenario, the model forecasts average capital city property prices to rise between 5-9% in 2021.

    However, even the ‘worst case’ model, which sees no change to existing RBA policy, a phased-out-as-planned JobKeeper, a third wave of infections, and a progressive rollout of a vaccine, the modelling suggests capital city price growth of between 0-4%.

    Both of the other scenarios, which involve permutations of the above outcomes (including modelling for no COVID-19 vaccines in 2021) suggest average capital city growth of 2-6%.

    I guess property investors don’t have a lot to lose in 2021, going by these numbers. And that’s probably good news for ASX shares too!

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    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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  • Why the IntelliHR (ASX:IHR) share price rocketed 26% higher to a 52-week high

    asx share price increase represented by golden dollar sign rocketing out from white domes

    The IntelliHR Ltd (ASX: IHR) share price has continued its positive run and stormed higher on Thursday.

    In fact, at one stage the human resources technology company’s shares were up 26% to a 52-week high of 36.5 cents.

    At the time of writing, the IntelliHR share price is up almost 21% to 35 cents.

    Why is the IntelliHR share price at a 52-week high?

    Investors have been buying the company’s shares this week after the release of an investor day update.

    At the event, the company reminded investors how it is performing in FY 2021 and its plans for the future.

    In respect to the former, during the first five months of FY 2021, the company’s subscribers have increased 148% year on year and more than doubled since the end of the last financial year. It is now rapidly approaching 30,000 contracted subscribers, with 28,779 contracted as of 26 November.

    This strong subscriber growth has underpinned an 81.3% jump in its contracted annual recurring revenue (ARR) to $2.8 million.

    IntelliHR’s Managing Director, Rob Bromage, commented: “IntelliHR has always been built to be a Global HR Platform, and our ambition from the outset was to build a global business. It is tremendous validation of our team’s commitment to this vision that approximately 40% of our subscribers are now located outside Australia, and that 4 enterprise customers from across the globe have been added in the last 6 months alone.”

    “This recent enterprise success has established our credibility as having a strongly differentiated people management solution which complements the needs of these clients, and we are pleased to see a strong enterprise pipeline emerging,” he added.

    What about the future?

    The company is currently working on phase three of its six phase growth strategy.

    Phase 3 sees the company aiming to triple its sales capabilities by servicing three jurisdictions – Australia, New Zealand, and North America.

    Once this is complete, it will move onto phase four. This will see the company heading to the UK and aiming to drive further growth in the United States by tripling its online sales and partnerships.

    This Tiny ASX Stock Could Be the Next Afterpay

    One little-known Australian IPO has doubled in value since January, and renowned Australian Moonshot stock picker Anirban Mahanti sees a potential millionaire-maker in waiting…

    Because ‘Doc’ Mahanti believes this fast-growing company has all the hallmarks of genuine Moonshot potential, forget ‘buy now pay later’, this stock could be the next hot stock on the ASX.

    Doc and his team have published a detailed report on this tiny ASX stock. Find out how you can access what could be the NEXT Afterpay today!

    Returns as of 6th October 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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  • Althea (ASX:AGH) share price lifts 10% today. Here’s why

    little green pharma share price represented by cannabis leaf character jumping cheerfully

    Althea Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: AGH) shares are rocketing higher today after the company announced a wholesale supply agreement with a South African company. At the time of writing, the Althea share price has risen by 10% to 55 cents on news of the deal.

    The agreement will enable the medicinal cannabis company to expand into the growing South African market.  

    What was in the agreement?

    Althea reported today it has signed a deal with South Africa-based company, AfriCann Ltd. Under the wholesale supply agreement, and following receipt of all required licenses and permits, AfriCann will import a range of Althea branded finished products for sale and distribution within South Africa.

    Althea says the agreement represents a forecast revenue amount of approximately $650,000 over the initial term of 2.5 years. The first shipment is expected to be delivered to AfriCann in the second quarter of 2021.

    The deal represents a significant opportunity, according to Althea, with the South African legal medicinal cannabis industry estimated to be worth approximately USD$667 million by 2023.

    Commenting on the agreement, Althea CEO, Josh Fegan, said:

    We continue to build the Althea brand in highly regulated medicinal cannabis markets across the globe, with South Africa adding to a growing list of territories including Australia, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

    The agreement with AfriCann is an exciting development for the company and reinforces our position as one of the world’s leading medicinal cannabis brands.

    What does Althea do?

    Althea is an Australian licensed supplier and exporter of pharmaceutical grade, medicinal cannabis. 

    In November, the company became the the first commercial supplier of Australian-made medicinal cannabis products in Germany, after obtaining approvals from the country’s health department.

    The German medicinal cannabis market is said to be worth $2.4 billion, and an initial order of 2,000 products will be delivered by Althea to Germany this month.

    Two days ago, Althea also announced that it has made inroads into the Canadian market, after sealing an agreement to manufacture United States cannabis brand Tinley’s products in Canada.

    How has the Althea share performed in 2020?

    The Althea share price has gained 45% in 2020 so far. The share price started the year at 38 cents, but dropped to as low as 15 cents in March at the height of the pandemic-led selloff.

    The Althea share price reached a 52-week high of 67 cents in September and commands a current market capitalisation of $123 million.

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    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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  • Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to sell today

    stylised silhouette of a bear on financial graph background

    On Wednesday I looked at three ASX shares that brokers have given buy ratings to this week.

    Unfortunately, not all shares are in favour with them right now. Three ASX shares that have just been given sell ratings by brokers are listed below.

    Here’s why these brokers are bearish on them:

    Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP)

    According to a note out of Citi, its analysts have reiterated their sell rating and $67.40 price target on this pizza chain operator’s shares. Although the broker believes that its overall sales will remain solid in the near term, it is expecting its same store sales growth to soften in the second half of FY 2021 and in FY 2022. It fears this slowing growth could put pressure on its shares and lead to the de-rating of its earnings multiple. The Domino’s share price is trading at $81.56 this afternoon.

    GPT Group (ASX: GPT)

    Analysts at Morgan Stanley have retained their underweight rating and $4.00 price target on this property company’s shares. This follows its decision to sell its 25% stake in 1 Farrer Place, Sydney for $584.6 million. While this has reduced its gearing to conservative levels, it isn’t enough for a change of rating. The broker continues to believe that the next year or so could be difficult for new leases and renewals. The GPT share price is fetching $4.60 on Thursday.

    Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P)

    Analysts at UBS have retained their sell rating but lifted the price target on this buy now pay later provider’s shares to $5.70. This follows the release of its trading update this week. According to the note, Zip has been performing better than it expected over the last couple of months. It was also pleased with its transaction frequency in the United States. However, it remains concerned that the end of government stimulus could impact sales growth and increase arrears. The Zip share price is changing hands for $5.96 this afternoon.

    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.*

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    James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of ZIPCOLTD FPO. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises 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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  • Is Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) share price a better buy than BHP (ASX:BHP) share price?

    BHP vs. Rio share price

    ASX iron ore stocks are surging and could be heading higher. The question is whether the Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) share price or BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price is the better buy?

    Australia’s largest listed iron ore producers have each surged between 4% and 5% in after lunch trade as they are likely to be upgraded by analysts.

    A jump in the iron ore price after Brazilian rival Vale SA downgraded its 2020 and 2021 production guidance is driving these stocks higher.

    The big rally among ASX iron ore miners is largely responsible for the 0.5% increase in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index:^AXJO) today.

    BHP share price vs. Rio Tinto share price

    The best way to gain exposure to this thematic is to buy a basket of ASX iron ore stocks. But if you can’t or would just like to know which side you should stand on in the BHP share price versus Rio Tinto share price debate, Citigroup may have the answer.

    The broker weighed up both stocks and believes that the Rio Tinto share price is the one to back. There are two key reasons for this.

    “We compare BHP and RIO on a number of measures ranging from portfolio exposure, growth pipeline, strategic direction and potential shareholder returns,” said Citi.

    “We found more similarities than differences – though from here the strategic direction looks very different for both.”

    Rio wins in ESG ranking

    The strategic difference here is Rio Tinto’s exposure to aluminium and BHP’s leverage to oil.

    Citi believes that aluminium improves Rio Tinto’s green credentials. This means the RIO share price will be more appealing from an Environmental, social and governance (ESG) perspective.

    Investors are focusing more on ESG as compared to the past as the impact of global warming cannot be ignored. There’s also a growing body of evidence that shows ASX stocks that score higher in ESG tend to perform better over the longer-term.

    BHP share price influenced by oil

    “BHP’s green growth option is potash but mid-term growth is driven by oil and gas with additional price leverage to coking coal,” explained the broker.

    “Both will face increasing scrutiny around iron ore Scope 3 CO2 emissions.”

    Rio Tinto generates a higher yield

    But there’s also a more practical reason why Citi prefers the Rio Tinto share price. Citi pointed out that production growth for both miners are modest at best.

    This is in part due to scale as these giants are so big that getting any meaningful increase in production is more difficult.

    Also, Citi noted that BHP’s and Rio Tinto’s more recent efforts to increase production have been wanting.

    This is why it may be more appropriate to view these stocks are income instead of growth.

    “[The] near term dividend/capital management capacity favours RIO with a CY21 dividend yield of ~8% versus BHP at ~6%,” added Citi.

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    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.

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  • Here’s why the Baby Bunting (ASX:BBN) share price is edging higher

    baby with look of surprised as if at huge increase in baby asx share price

    The Baby Bunting Group Ltd (ASX: BBN) share price is on the rise today as the company announced a partnership with fellow ASX share Forbidden Foods Ltd (ASX: FFF). At the time of writing, the Baby Bunting share price has edged 0.69% higher on the news. As a result, shares in the baby goods provider are currently trading at $4.37.

    It has been a strong year for the Baby Bunting share price which has risen by 34% in 2020. This is despite the global pandemic, which saw multiple Baby Bunting stores close earlier in the year. For comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) has increased by 8.18% over the same period. 

    What’s driving the Baby Bunting share price?

    The Baby Bunting share price is inching higher following the news the company’s stores will begin stocking Forbidden Foods ‘Funch’ baby foods. The agreement will see the baby retailer ranging seven Funch products nationally from January 2021. Moreover, the release noted that there may be scope to grow the partnership moving forwards.

    The CEO of Forbidden Foods, Jarrod Milani, commented on the agreement, noting:

    Baby Bunting is at the forefront of baby products and has unprecedented access to new parents, we couldn’t be more pleased to have such a strong retail partner like Baby Bunting supporting the FUNCH Australian plant-based baby foods range.

    Our arrangement with Baby Bunting shows there is strong demand for innovative and also 100% Australian sourced baby foods catering to the growing next generation of millennial parents.

    What is Forbidden Foods?

    Forbidden Foods is a multi-brand food, beverage and ingredients company focusing on baby food and wellness and organic markets. The company made its debut on the ASX in August this year, with its shares rocketing 55% since then. 

    On the Forbidden Foods website, it states:

    The Company was established in 2010 with a vision to provide Australia with the very best health foods and to meet growing consumer demand for differentiated, plant-based and health-oriented products.

    More about Baby Bunting

    Baby Bunting is Australia’s largest specialty baby goods retailer with 58 stores nationally and a strong online presence.

    It is Baby Bunting’s online business that has been critical to its ongoing success throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with click and collect sales growing by over 200% in the first quarter of FY21. Online sales growth was also up an impressive 126%.

    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.

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    Motley Fool contributor Daniel Ewing owns shares of Baby Bunting. 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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  • Why the MyFiziq (ASX:MYQ) share price is racing 13% higher today

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    The MyFiziq Ltd (ASX: MYQ) share price is out of its trading halt and racing higher this afternoon.

    The image capture and dimensioning technology provider’s shares are currently up 13% to $1.08.

    Why is the MyFiziq share price racing higher?

    The catalyst for this strong gain has been the announcement of an agreement with Canada-based Triage Technologies.

    This agreement will see the company take a strategic equity stake in Triage and license the use of its artificial intelligence (AI) health assistant technology for integration into MyFiziq’s CompleteScan software offering.

    What is Triage Technologies?

    According to the release, Triage has developed the world’s most advanced dermatological AI system which can accurately identify 588 skin conditions from a photo in only seconds. This includes all categories of skin cancers.

    The accuracy of the engine has been tested against dermatologists and has proven to be more accurate more often than a dermatologist.

    Management notes that the technology was created using a proprietary database that is not only the largest of its kind in the world, but also larger than those of IBM and Google combined. Triage expects to receive a USA patent for its system in 2021, with further jurisdictions to follow.

    MyFiziq’s Chief Executive Officer, Vlado Bosanac, commented: “Over the past 6 months, I have been developing a multiplatform strategy for MyFiziq. I first obtained the NuraLogix capabilities with the integration of Facial Scan using Transdermal Optical Imaging, which quickly proved to be a very attractive and complementary addition to the deep suite of image captures that MyFiziq has been releasing to the world.”

    “I have identified Triage as a natural fit for the platform and for the expanded interest which MYQ has developed from the medical and remote care communities for triaging users not only in the current COVID situation but also in normal times. Triage brings a complementary offering to our CompleteScan platform, which is assisting in the completion of my vision in creating the “Tricorder” of digital health screening in your hand,” he added.

    This Tiny ASX Stock Could Be the Next Afterpay

    One little-known Australian IPO has doubled in value since January, and renowned Australian Moonshot stock picker Anirban Mahanti sees a potential millionaire-maker in waiting…

    Because ‘Doc’ Mahanti believes this fast-growing company has all the hallmarks of genuine Moonshot potential, forget ‘buy now pay later’, this stock could be the next hot stock on the ASX.

    Doc and his team have published a detailed report on this tiny ASX stock. Find out how you can access what could be the NEXT Afterpay today!

    Returns as of 6th October 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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  • Why Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Mesoblast, Splitit, & WiseTech are dropping lower

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    In afternoon trade the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record a solid gain. At the time of writing the benchmark index is up 0.4% to 6,616.2 points.

    Four shares that have failed to follow the market higher today are listed below. Here’s why they are dropping lower:

    Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp Ltd (ASX: FPH)

    The Fisher & Paykel Healthcare share price is down 2.5% to $32.09. This appears to have been driven partly by the medical device company’s shares trading ex-dividend this morning. Eligible shareholders can now look forward to being paid its 15.2 cents per share dividend in a couple of weeks on 16 December.

    Mesoblast limited (ASX: MSB)

    The Mesoblast share price is down 3% to $4.29. Investors may be taking profit after a strong gain on Wednesday following the release of another positive update. That update was related to its remestemcel-L product and revealed that the United States Food and Drug Administration has granted it Fast Track designation in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19 infection.

    Splitit Ltd (ASX: SPT)

    The Splitit share price is down over 2.5% to $1.28. This morning the buy now pay later provider released its November update and revealed record merchant sales volume (MSV) during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotional period. Over the shopping event, the company reported MSV of US$15.3 million. This was an increase of 216% on the same period a year earlier. This strong finish to the month led to the company reporting year-on-year November MSV growth of 255%. Investors appear to have been expecting even stronger growth.

    WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

    The WiseTech Global share price is down 1.5% to $30.41 on the day of its investor day event. This is despite the company reaffirming its guidance for revenue of $470 million to $510 million and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $155 million to $180 million. The latter represents year on year growth of 22% to 42%.

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    One little-known Australian IPO has doubled in value since January, and renowned Australian Moonshot stock picker Anirban Mahanti sees a potential millionaire-maker in waiting…

    Because ‘Doc’ Mahanti believes this fast-growing company has all the hallmarks of genuine Moonshot potential, forget ‘buy now pay later’, this stock could be the next hot stock on the ASX.

    Doc and his team have published a detailed report on this tiny ASX stock. Find out how you can access what could be the NEXT Afterpay today!

    Returns as of 6th October 2020

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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 WiseTech Global. 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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  • Here are the ASX bank shares rated as a buy today

    city building with banking share prices, anz share price

    The ASX banking sector has had a troubled year, as most ASX investors would be aware. Given the big four banks provide the foundation of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), with a weighting of close to 20%, their share price movements influence the broader market in a major way, like it or not.

    That’s why we can thank the banks for a large part of the ASX 200’s stellar rise over the month of November. I discussed this earlier in the week, and we determined that National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) was the standout performer, having appreciated more than 24% in value over November (although all four of the majors were up more than 10% over the month). November was reportedly the best month for ASX 200 shares since the 1980s, and this was a big reason why.

    But since the ASX banks had such a strong month, are any of them still buys today? Remember, the bank sector is still facing some structural issues, such as record low interest rates.

    Well, one broker thinks so. Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE: GS) is one of the most followed investment banks in the world. Its recommendations are closely monitored by many investors.

    So what does Goldman think of the ASX bank shares today?

    A broker rates the ASX banks

    Goldman is not too keen on Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) for one. It is currently rating CBA as a ‘sell’ and giving CBA shares a price target of $65.55, stating “the market continues to ignore the earnings impact of lower rates and focuses on dividend yield”.

    It’s not wild on Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX: ANZ) either, giving ANZ a ‘neutral’ rating and a price target of $20.58.

    However, Goldman is bullish on both NAB and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC). In regards to Westpac, Goldman is approving of the bank’s recent decision to sell its insurance arm to Allianz for $725 million, which it views as “entirely consistent” with Wetpac’s goals of exiting “non-core activities”. It has a price target of $20.34 on Westpac shares.

    But Goldman views NAB as “our preferred major bank exposure”. Goldman states that “our view is that it will deliver better than peer revenue growth, supported by its superior management of the volume/margin trade-off,… [as well as] its investment spend which appears further progressed relative to peers allowing it to be more selective towards where resources are directed”.

    Goldman has a price target of $22.96 on NAB shares at the current time.

    However, Goldman also issues a caveat. The broker says that, ” we… believe that for the bank’s run to continue, it will rely on a recovery in dividends and a re-rating of yields, in light of very low interest rates.”

    Something for ASX bank investors to keep in mind!

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    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen owns shares of National Australia Bank 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.

    The post Here are the ASX bank shares rated as a buy today appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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