The Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P) share price is storming higher today following the release of a new product offering. In early morning trade, the Zip share price is up 2.65% to $7.36. In comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 0.1% to 6,235.9 points.

Let’s take a look at what Zip released to the market.

What’s moving the Zip share price?

This morning the Zip share price is on the rise after the company announced it has launched its Tap & Zip product, which enables customers to make purchases anywhere accepting Visa.

The new offering is expected to promote Zip as a first-choice payment to customers over its competitors. This allows the company to expand into new spend categories and capitalise on instore payment opportunities.

Projection shows that merchants could see increased sales volumes due to customers having greater access to Zip’s payment facilities. In-turn, customers will have an array of options using Zip Pay’s instore solutions.

According to RFI Research, just 13% of stores in Australia accept buy now, pay later (BNPL) options, revealing a large untapped customer market.

In addition, studies indicate universally accepted tapping as being the preferred method of payment. Zip accounts for 24% of transactions occurring instore as compared with broader Australian retail data which sees 87% of payments instore.

Zip noted that this highlights a significant opportunity to grow its market share in the BNPL market.

What did the CEO say?

Zip co-founder and CEO, Mr Larry Diamond, commented on the on sector and the company’s new product. He said:

BNPL has seen phenomenal growth over the last few years, as customers switched traditional forms of credit for flexible, digital alternatives. However, until now that growth has been restricted by a clunky instore checkout experience and limited acceptance.

As a customer-obsessed organisation, we are excited to announce Tap & Zip, which completely changes the game, enabling Zip to compete with the credit card at every checkout in Australia. Everywhere Australians can pay with a Visa contactless card, they’ll now also be able to Tap & Zip, interest-free.

Partnership agreements

Furthermore, in addition to the new product release, Zip also announced it has partnered with Apple Inc‘s (NASDAQ: AAPL) Apple Pay and Alphabet Inc‘s (NASDAQ: GOOGL) (NASDAQ: GOOG) Google Pay. The new agreements with the Silicon Valley tech giants will allow Zip customers to use virtual wallets on Apple and Android products.

The collaboration between Apple and Google makes it easier for Zip customers to make payments on everyday items. Both platforms will be available to use for Zip payments from today.

More reading

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• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to sell next week

Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), and Apple. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of ZIPCOLTD FPO. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), and Apple. 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 opened weaker following its AGM today. At the time of writing, the IDP share price has dropped 3.85% to $19.23. 

FY20 performance recap 

FY20 started strong for the international student placement and language testing services provider before COVID-19 headwinds hit the business in Q4. It finished FY20 with a 2% decrease in revenue to $587 million, while EBIT increased 11% to $107.8 million and NPATA increased 3% to $70.4 million. The company maintains a solid $307 million cash balance as at 30 June following a $175 million capital raising in April. 

Trading update 

The AGM includes an operational and destination update. The company highlights that 70% of its International English Language Testing System (IELTS) network capacity has been reinstated and that all student placement offices (excluding Melbourne) have been reopened. This is an improvement from approximately 55% capacity in late August. Social distancing measures are still limiting its ability to deliver the test in large-scale group environments in several countries, however a shift to smaller and more frequent test sessions, enabled by computer delivered IELTS is helping meet demand. 

In terms of student mobility and placements, volumes are down 22% for Q1 compared with last year. It expects the fall intakes in the Northern Hemisphere to be smaller than FY20 as students are increasingly being presented with opportunities to commence studies at later intake dates. IDP pointed to Canada and the United Kingdom that have already started to welcome back international students. In particular, the recent announcement of relaxed travel restrictions for international students headed to Canada was well received by IDP’s global customer base. The business was unable to access the size of 2021 semester one intakes for Australia. 

The education provider seized the COVID-19 situation to fast-track its digital transformation program. This included the rollout of various new products and innovations including: 

• Roll-out of IELTS Indicator, its temporary online IELTS test which was accepted by more than 900 organisations and available in 70 countries;
• The launch of AskIDP, an app that helps students have their difficult questions answered by people they trust;
• Roll-out of its virtual event and counselling solutions 

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 next week
• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now
• ASX 200 up 0.9%: Big four banks rise, Pro Medicus jumps, miners charging higher
• Why IDP Education, WiseTech, Zip, & Zoono shares are tumbling lower today
• Why the IDP Education (ASX:IEL) share price is crashing 10% lower today

Lina Lim 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 Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH) share price is pushing higher on Tuesday after the release of its first quarter update.

At the time of writing, the hearing solutions company’s shares are up 1.5% to $220.64.

How did Cochlear perform in the first quarter?

For the three months ended 30 September, Cochlear revealed that its cochlear implant revenue was 94% of what it achieved a year earlier in constant currency.

It notes that unit volumes declined by 14%, with developed markets growing low single‐digits while emerging markets were down around 40%.

Pleasingly, the company’s Services revenue continues to recover. First quarter revenue (in constant currency) was around 86% of what it reported in the prior corresponding period.

It was a similar story for Acoustics revenue, which was approximately 89% of the revenue it achieved a year earlier. Management notes the strong uptake of the Cochlear Osia 2 System in the US and the resumption of acoustic surgeries in the UK.

How are different markets performing?

Management advised that trading activity continues to be mixed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In developed markets, the US, Germany and Korea are showing good growth on last year. Whereas European markets, including the UK, Italy and Spain, have been regaining momentum more recently as clinics re‐open and surgical throughput grows.

Pleasingly, its new candidate pipeline is rebuilding quickly with clinical assessments close to pre‐COVID‐19 levels in many markets. In addition, the company has experienced solid lead generation from its direct‐to‐consumer activities.

However, while current developed market surgery momentum is positive, the company has warned that there is still a lot of uncertainty. Especially given recent second and third waves of COVID‐19. This may result in new restrictions to elective surgery, complicating recovery plans and timing.

Over in developing markets, surgeries in China are growing but most other countries remain well behind last year. Management warned that there continues to be uncertainty over the time it will take for some emerging markets to recover.

New product excitement.

Cochlear’s CEO & President Dig Howitt, commented: “We continue to be pleased with the pace of recovery across our developed markets. We have a suite of new products that are just starting to be launched and are generating excitement and great feedback. Our investment priorities this year will be focused on strengthening our competitive position and continuing to invest in many of our growth programs to set ourselves up for FY22.”

Cochlear also advised that it expects to benefit from the recently announced changes to the R&D tax concession.

It notes that the combination of the lifting of the $100 million cap and the increase in the concession rate would have increased the FY 2020 deductible amount from $8.5 million to $16.2 million after tax. The change will be effective from 1 Jul 2021.

More reading

• Got a spare $10,000 to invest? Smart investors should buy these ASX shares
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 next week
• Why it’s always a good time to buy blue chip ASX shares
• Why I would buy Cochlear (ASX:COH) and this ASX blue chip share
• 3 excellent ASX growth shares to invest $3,000 immediately

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 Cochlear Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear 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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The ELMO Software Ltd (ASX: ELO) share price is under pressure on Tuesday despite delivering strong growth in the first quarter.

At the time of writing, the ELMO share price is down almost 2% to $5.60.

How did ELMO perform in the first quarter?

For the three months ended 30 September, the cloud-based HR and payroll software provider reported record cash receipts of $15.6 million. This was a 29.8% increase on the prior corresponding period.

This latest quarter brought its rolling 12-month cash receipts to a record of $61.1 million, up 30.4% on the prior corresponding period.

The company’s, Chief Financial Officer, James Haslam, was pleased with the quarter.

He commented: “ELMO continues its growth journey. Cash receipts for the 12-months to 30 September 2020 totalled $61.1 million, representing growth of 30.4% on the 12-month period to 30 September 2019. This is a new 12-month record for ELMO.”

At the end of the quarter ELMO was well capitalised and held a cash balance of $130.4 million.

However, since then, it has announced the acquisition of Breathe for an initial payment of 18 million pounds (A$32.4 million) using a combination of cash and scrip.

Breathe is a fast growing, scalable, self-service HR platform, based in the UK.

Management notes that the acquisition provides it with entry into the small business market in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. It also meaningfully expands ELMO’s UK footprint, with more than 6,700 customers in that market.

Breathe’s annual recurring revenue (ARR) as of 31 August was 3.6 million pounds (A$6.5 million) and has been growing over 30% annually. Revenue is 100% subscription-based and recurring in nature.

ELMO intends to launch Breathe into the Australian and New Zealand markets, and will cross-sell existing ELMO HR modules into its large customer base.

What about the rest of FY 2021?

Management advised that its focus remains on delivering organic growth supplemented with strategic acquisitions.

It also notes that the company remains well positioned to capitalise on tailwinds in the adoption of cloud-based business tools, including HR technology.

In respect to guidance, it has reaffirmed its recently upgraded FY 2021 guidance of ARR of $72.5 million to $78.5 million, revenue of $61 million to $66 million, and EBITDA of -$3.5 million to -$7.5 million.

More reading

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• Why Downer, ELMO, Netwealth, & Sezzle shares are storming higher today

James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Elmo Software. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elmo Software. 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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Several ASX shares rose well over 4% yesterday. This includes Cimic Group Ltd (ASX: CIM), up 8%, and Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR), up 6.85%. However, it was the movement of two acknowledged growth shares that caught my attention. 

Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME)

This ASX share price leapt by 6.66% after signing a $10 million deal with a Munich-based university. Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU Klinikum) is one of the largest university hospitals in Germany. Consequently, the deal will see the Pro Medicus technology, Visage, deployed throughout LMU Klinikum’s radiology and subspecialty imaging departments. Thus replacing systems from legacy vendors.

“We look forward to taking our partnership with Visage to the next level as we implement their technology across our radiology department,” said Dr Kurt Kruber, CIO of LMU Klinikum. “The Visage platform provides a highly scalable and reliable platform combined with sophisticated clinical features that will support us in both day-to-day patient care and advanced research.”

Dr Kurt added that large European teaching hospitals had standardised on IT platforms from large, multinational imaging equipment vendors. This underlines the importance of the deal as a breakthrough for this pioneering ASX share. The Pro Medicus share price has risen by 14.3% in 5 days of trading after announcing another international deal on 15 October. 

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech saw its ASX share price rise by 4.43% yesterday. This was after news that company CEO, Richard White, would be selling the corporate headquarters acquired four years ago.  This is part of an ongoing commitment by the billionaire CEO to stop doing private business with a public company by the end of 2021.

The property is a sale-and-leaseback deal, with WiseTech as the major tenant on a five-year lease. Moreover, the building was customised to match the requirements of this ASX share. 

However, this clarification of interests is not the only tailwind behind WiseTech these days. The company’s recent annual report disclosed a 23% increase in revenues compared to FY19 performance. In addition, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EDITDA) rose by 17% against FY19.

Despite the impacts of COVID-19, the company sustained very low attrition rates, and reducing the company reliance on its top 10 customers, down 2% from FY19to 20% of revenue. This isolates WiseTech from impacts of losing large clients. 

More reading

• Brainchip (ASX:BRN) share price jumps on quarterly update
• Why Dubber, New Hope, Pro Medicus, & Rio Tinto shares are dropping lower
• Should you stay invested in an ASX share after a strong run?
• ASX 200 rises, Pro Medicus (ASX:PME) wins another global contract
• Why Bank of Queensland, BHP, Pro Medicus, & Redbubble shares are charging higher

Daryl Mather has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. recommends Pro Medicus Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Dicker Data Limited and Pro Medicus Ltd. 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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The CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) share price is on the move this morning following the release of its research and development (R&D) investor briefing.

At the time of writing, the biotherapeutics company’s shares are down 0.3% to $303.15.

What was in the update?

This morning CSL released a comprehensive update on all its R&D activities. This includes its work across a number of programs to prevent and treat COVID-19 such as UQ/CSL V451 and AZD1222.

UQ/CSL V451 is a recombinant virus spike protein (molecular clamp technology) formulated with MF59 adjuvant under a partnership with the University of Queensland and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). Phase 1 trials are ongoing, with phase 2 and 3 trials expected in December if everything goes to plan.

AZD1222 is an adenovirus vector designed to express spike protein of COVID-19 virus in situ. It has partnered with AstraZeneca on this one. It is currently undergoing phase 3 trials.

What else did CSL talk about?

CSL revealed that its AEGIS-II Phase 3 study of CSL112 (ApoA-1) for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome has now resumed following a COVID-19 related pause.

More than 10,000 people have been enrolled to date. It is aiming to launch the product in 2023-2025.

Management also spoke about the results of its Phase 2 clinical trials of Garadacimab, a treatment in hereditary angioedema (HAE).

It advised that Garadacimab met its primary end points, with a statistically significant reduction in HAE attacks. It also sees opportunities for the therapy in the treatment of fibrotic disease, cardiovascular disease, and inflammatory disease.

Finally, another topic of interest was the aquisition of Clazakizumab (CSL300) earlier this year. It is an anti-interleukin-6 monoclonal antibody being used in the IMAGINE Phase 3 trial for the treatment of chronic active antibody-mediated rejection. This is the leading cause of long-term rejection in kidney transplant recipients.

In June, Goldman Sachs estimated that Clazakizumab, if successful, could generate peak non-risk adjusted sales of US$5.4 billion by FY 2032 and risk adjusted sales of US$1.3 billion.

Based on trials to date, management appears optimistic that the therapy could improve outcomes for transplant recipients.

Foolish Takeaway.

Overall, based on this pipeline, CSL appears well-placed to both save lives and generate strong returns for investors over the 2020s.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• What happened to the Mesoblast Limited (ASX:MSB) share price?
• ASX 200 Weekly Wrap: Promises of easy money push ASX 200 to post-crash high
• 3 ASX shares to hold forever
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James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of CSL Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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

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

We’re diving into earnings season, and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) is one of the early arrivals with its third-quarter financial report on Tuesday afternoon. The leading premium video service is riding high. The shares enter the new trading week with a 64% year-to-date gain. 

There have been moments of mortality on the way up. Netflix stock declined 6.5% the day after it posted results for its second quarter, so investors know that volatility is the norm during earnings season. Expectations are high leading into this week’s report. Let’s take a closer look at Netflix and what it will have to prove to Wall Street if it can keep the upticks coming.

Binge investing pays off

We know what Netflix was expecting to do in the third quarter. Three months ago it was targeting $6.327 billion in revenue for the quarter, 20.6% more than it delivered a year earlier. The bottom line is growing even faster, as the $2.07 a share profit that Netflix was modeling in mid-July is 42.2% ahead of where it landed in the third quarter of last year. 

It’s not a surprise to see Netflix booming. We’re spending more time at home, and no one is spending as much as Netflix on content to keep its subscribers well-stocked with binge-worthy entertainment. Its summertime outlook calls for 195.45 million paying streaming members worldwide, a 23.4% increase over the past year.

Analysts aren’t tethered to what Netflix saw in its crystal ball three months ago. The consensus Wall Street estimate calls for $2.13 a share in earnings on $6.38 billion in revenue. They clearly think that the fundamentals have inched higher in recent months, but Netflix historically putting out conservative guidance probably steers analysts to aim higher. 

There are a few reasons to get excited with Netflix reporting shortly after Tuesday’s market close. It has quietly ended the free trials it offers US subscribers, something that it wasn’t likely to do if it was struggling in attracting new members. It doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to increase domestic prices – especially after the hit it took on the subscriber front the last time it pushed out a hike – but anything it can do to keep its subscriber base close and growing in these competitive times is a positive achievement. 

Despite trouncing the market in 2020, the shares are actually marching in place in recent months. The stock is trading a mere 0.6% higher than it was the day it announced second-quarter results three months ago. A strong report – especially after the market’s uninspiring reaction last time out – would result in a healthy bounce on Wednesday. We’re not talking about a short squeeze, as short positions have actually been sliding steadily since peaking in December. However, another beat coupled with encouraging guidance to close out the final quarter of 2020 and the stock could be off to the races again. 

Netflix would have to climb 22% in the remainder of this year to double in 2020, and that’s certainly possible with a blowout performance this week. Netflix has been one of the market’s hottest stocks over the past decade, but doubling in a single year is something that the shares haven’t done since 2015. Netflix stock nearly quadrupled in 2013. The stage is set for Netflix to do something that it hasn’t done in five years, but it’s best chance to make it happen is now just a trading day away.

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

More reading

• How this fund manager’s 60% UP in the year of COVID-19
• Analyst: Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:NFLX) will surge 21% to $670 due to a ‘dramatically changing world’
• 3 ASX tech shares that pay dividends
• 3 things you’ll want to know when Netflix announces earnings
• Netflix will surge 28% to $650, according to this analyst

Rick Munarriz owns shares of Netflix. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Netflix. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Netflix. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has finally moved out of its COVID-19 induced trading range to hit a 7-month high. Let’s take a look at the shares that have been able to ride the momentum of the broader market to hit fresh record all-time highs this week. 

ASX shares that hit record all-time highs

1. Adairs Ltd (ASX: ADH)

The Adairs share price has been on a tear since its March lows, hitting a fresh record all-time high of $4.24 on Monday. The business has experienced strong sales amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by a 61.4% increase in online sales in FY20. The company’s ticking all the right boxes with growing revenues, the earnings accretive acquisition of home furniture supplier ‘Mocka’ and reducing its outstanding debt. 

2. Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR) 

Dicker Data is a wholesale distributor of computer hardware, software and related products.  The business has experienced a rapid increase in demand for remote and virtual working solutions across its hardware, software and cloud portfolios. While the relaxation of lockdown measures has positioned Dicker Data to support businesses with their return to work strategies and business continuity plans in a post COVID-19 environment. Furthermore, over the next 12-24 months, the rollout of 5G connectivity is going to have a revolutionary effect within the technology industry. This is a tremendous opportunity for Dicker Data to continue assisting and supporting customers through this ongoing wave of digital transformation. These business tailwinds have helped prop up the Dicker Data share price to a fresh all-time record high of $9.05 on Monday. 

3. Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT) 

The NextDC share price has more than doubled this year following the bullish sentiment for the tech industry. The company has been able to continue to deliver on market expectations with its FY20 results coming in at the top end of earnings guidance provided at the start of the financial year. A flurry of development activity continues for the business to expand its capacity across Australia. Its shares are a record all-time high of $13.70 this week. 

4. Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB) 

The investment and superannuation portfolio administrator has seen record growth in its Funds Under Administration (FUA) with record inflows for its September quarter. The quarter experienced inflows of $1.36 billion (up 10% on pcp) and total FUA of $19 billion (up 32% on pcp). According to the latest available Strategic Insights data for the Australian platform market, Hub24 has maintained 2nd place ranking for both quarterly and annual net inflows. Its market share has increased to 2.1% from 1.5% at June 2019. 

5. Kogan.com Ltd (ASX: KGN) 

Kogan arguably has the most vertical share price chart of them all. This really begs the question, when will Kogan stop setting new all-time record highs every month? Its share price beat its previous record high set in August to hit the $25 mark for the first time this week. The business continues to go from strength to strength with its most recent September business update highlighting triple digit growth in sales and profits. 

More reading

• 2 of the best ASX dividend shares you can buy in October
• ASX 200 rises 1%, Cimic (ASX:CIM) up 8% on sale
• Dicker Data (ASX:DDR) share price reaches all-time high. Here’s why
• Why Dicker Data, South32, Tyro, and Uniti shares are pushing higher today
• New $259 million ASX tech player listing Thursday

Lina Lim has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Hub24 Ltd and Kogan.com ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Dicker Data Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ADAIRS FPO, Hub24 Ltd, and 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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The last few months have been strong for ASX 200 shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has surged to a 100-day high of 6,229.40 points as at yesterday’s close. That’s good news for those in the market but what does it mean for those looking to buy?

Why ASX 200 shares are at a 100-day high

The interesting thing right now is there are a few different factors bubbling away in the background. The coronavirus pandemic continues to dominate investor sentiment while monetary and fiscal policy are starting to come to the fore.

Yesterday, the benchmark Aussie index jumped 0.85% or 52.60 points higher thanks to easing Victorian restrictions. Less restrictions is good for the economy and that saw a number of ASX 200 shares like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) surge higher.

I think hitting a 100-day high is the good news investors need right now. The March bear market seems like an age ago with strong stimulus and monetary policy measures helping to keep the economy afloat.

The Federal Budget announced in recent weeks also contained some good news for business. That’s especially the case for major infrastructure shares like Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC) given the $10 billion spending boost in the sector.

Similarly, shares like SEEK Limited (ASX: SEK) have been charging higher thanks to big efforts to reduce unemployment.

We’re also starting to see more initial public offerings (IPO) and M&A (merger and acquisition) activity increasing which could be a good signal for the current state of the share market.

All of these factors have helped to push ASX 200 shares to a new 100-day high and momentum could be a key factor heading into the end of the year.

Foolish takeaway

ASX 200 shares are charging higher and that could mean now is a time to buy. I still think the idea of a ‘two-speed’ economy rings true.

That means now is the time to think long-term but buy with short-term policy triggers and potential winners in mind.

More reading

• Why the Silver Lake (ASX:SLR) share price is one to watch today
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• 3 high quality blue chip ASX shares to buy now
• ASX 200 rises 1%, Cimic (ASX:CIM) up 8% on sale
• Are ANZ (ASX:ANZ) shares a buy for dividend income today?

Motley Fool contributor Ken Hall has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended SEEK 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 Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) share price could be on the move today after signing a partnership with banking giant Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC).

What has been announced?

This morning Afterpay revealed that it has entered into a collaboration agreement to facilitate the introduction of Afterpay savings accounts and cash flow tools for customers in Australia.

According to the release, the new money management services will be facilitated by Westpac’s new digital bank-as-a-service platform.

The partnership will allow Afterpay to provide Westpac transaction and savings accounts and other cashflow management tools to its 3.3 million customers in Australia from the second quarter of 2021.

Afterpay expects the service to empower customers to have greater control over their budget, with an efficient and seamless digital user experience.

The company also notes that the collaboration brings efficiency benefits to its existing activities from a risk management and processing cost perspective. In addition, it has the potential to facilitate new revenue streams over time, without needing to develop traditional banking or credit products.

“Global opportunity.”

Afterpay’s CEO, Anthony Eisen, commented: “We believe Australians deserve greater support and insight to help manage their money. Together with the power of our retail platform, the latest banking technology from 10x, and the support of Westpac, we will begin by offering cashflow management in a simple way.”

“Afterpay is in a unique position to extend and deepen the relationship with our customers and help them to manage their money more seamlessly through savings and budgeting tools. For Afterpay, this is clearly just the beginning as we explore this opportunity globally,” he said.

This positive sentiment was echoed by Westpac’s CEO, Peter King.

He said: “We are very pleased to be able to offer our digital bank-as-a-service platform to one of Australia’s most prolific fintech innovations, Afterpay. This collaboration reflects our strategy to meet the changing needs of customers and demonstrates our desire to partner with differentiated business models that provide alternative ways for consumers to spend and manage their finances.”

“We look forward to launching our platform in Q2 with Afterpay and will continue to work together to identify ways in which our partnership can add further value to consumers,” he added.

In other news.

This isn’t the only industry news this morning. Rival Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P) has just announced plans to launch a “Tap & Zip”  option on Visa terminals.

It notes that just 13% of stores in Australia are able to accept buy now, pay later options. Management feels Tap & Zip addresses this significant and untapped customer need.

More reading

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• Brainchip (ASX:BRN) share price jumps on quarterly update
• ASX 200 Weekly Wrap: Promises of easy money push ASX 200 to post-crash high
• Will you regret calling the Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) share price too expensive? 

James Mickleboro owns shares of Westpac Banking. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of ZIPCOLTD FPO. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO. 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 Afterpay (ASX:APT) share price on watch after announcing Westpac (ASX:WBC) partnership appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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