The Black Cat Syndicate Ltd (ASX: BC8) share price was a standout performer on the ASX today, catching the eye of small-cap ASX investors with an intra-day rise of as much as 46.94%.

Black Cat shares shot up after being reinstated to official quotation in afternoon trade. Shares eventually simmered down somewhat to close out the day 30.61% higher at 64 cents per share. This brings Black Cat’s current market capitalisation to around $54 million.

Black Cat Syndicate is a small-cap ASX gold miner. Its primary focus is on advanced exploration and development of the high-grade Bulong Gold Field, which is located 25km east of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. Bulong is the result of the consolidation of a number of small-scale, high-grade mines and is comprised of around 82 square kilometres of mainly granted tenements, all 100% controlled by Black Cat.

Why the Black Cat Syndicate share price rocketed today

On Tuesday morning, Black Cat requested its shares be suspended from official quotation, pending the release of an announcement regarding a potential acquisition.

That announcement came this afternoon, when Black Cat revealed it had entered a binding agreement to acquire 2 gold projects from Silver Lake Resources Limited (ASX: SLR), subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions.

The 2 projects are:

• The Fingals Gold Project which comprises ~64 square kilometres of land and is located 30km south-east of the Bulong Gold Project; and
• The Rowe’s Find Gold Project which comprises ~41 square kilometres of land and is located 100km east of Bulong.

Upon completion of the acquisition, Black Cat’s landholding will increase from 168 square kilometres to 233 square kilometres.

Additionally, Fingals and Rowe’s Find have a combined JORC Mineral Resource Estimate of 5.2 million tonnes at 2.5 grams per tonne (g/t) gold for 425,000 ounces. This is expected to increase Black Cat’s total resources by 145% to 8.7 million tonnes at 2.6 g/t gold for 716,000 ounces.

Under the terms of the acquisition, Black Cat will pay a non-refundable deposit of $50,000. It will also issue around 8.4 million ordinary shares to Silver Lake, making Silver Lake a substantial shareholder in Black Cat.

The acquisition is conditional upon the completion of due diligence by Black Cat by 27 June 2020. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions, the acquisition is expected to be completed in early July 2020.

Commenting on today’s update, Black Cat’s managing director Gareth Solly said:

“Fingals and Rowe’s Find have clear synergies to our Bulong Gold Project. The new projects contain 44 tenements of which 28 are Mining Leases with minimal barriers to mining. With this acquisition, we will increase our Resources by 145% to 719,000oz, add high quality exploration targets as well as near term mining opportunities. All this without significantly impacting Black Cat’s cash position.”

“We will complete due diligence and rank the exploration and mining opportunities accordingly. We also look forward to welcoming Silver Lake as a substantial shareholder upon completion of the Acquisition,” he added.

More reading

• 7 roaring ASX mid-cap shares last week
• ASX 200 finishes up 1.4%, gold miner share prices surge
• Why the best performing ASX stock might have more room to run higher
• These were the top 10 ASX 200 shares over the last year

Motley Fool contributor Cathryn Goh 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 bulls are back! The S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index:^AXJO) jumped a further 1.3% on Thursday – pushing the benchmark to a 12 week high.

We are likely to see more gains in the short-term too despite the market’s 29% gain since it hit a bear market bottom in late March.

More room for bulls to run

There are a few reasons for this, including an expected string of positive data from the gradual reopening of the global economy after the COVID-19 shutdown.

ASX shares certainly aren’t as cheap as they were in recent past, but there’s still value to be found for those who are yet to join in the party.

Testing positive in a good way

Testing and certification services provider ALS Ltd (ASX: ALS) is one that makes the cut, according to Morgans.

The broker reiterated it’s “add” recommendation on the stock after management posted its full year results yesterday.

“FY20 underlying financials met guidance despite COVID headwinds in Feb-Mar, suggesting Life Sciences [business] was tracking ahead of our expectations,” said the broker.

“We think the stock can keep running in-line with the re-opening of the global economy, and as it approaches the late July AGM where a critical trading update will be provided.”

The 6.1 cents a share dividend was also a positive surprise, although that was offset by a $90 million write-down of some underperforming businesses.

However, Morgans thinks the FY21 outlook for ALS is looking relatively bright considering the uncertainty caused by COVID-19.

The broker’s target price on the stock is $8.28 a share.

Strength in numbers

Meanwhile, JP Morgan reiterated its “overweight” rating on TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPM) today as it believes there is good revenue upside potential for the telco post its merger with Vodafone Australia.

“There are a variety of revenue synergies that the company can pursue as a result of the merger and all are additive, with some potentially yielding as much as 30% further upside on a standalone basis,” said the broker.

These opportunities include fixed wireless broadband solution, fixed wireless data offload (used to cover holes in NBN coverage), cross selling NBN to Vodafone customers and cross selling mobile to TPG’s customers.

“While we currently don’t incorporate any of these opportunities in our estimates, adding them all together yields up to 85% further potential upside to our current DCF valuation,” added JP Morgan.

The broker’s current price target on the stock is $8.65 a share.

More reading

• Another sign the ASX 200 bull run is justified
• RBA governor says economy “doing better than was earlier feared”
• Why now could be a better time to buy the underperforming CSL share price
• ASX 200 bull market! Why this ASX fundie is getting nervous
• ASX 200 up 2.4%: Blackmores raises $92m, big four banks jump, Nearmap rockets

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

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There’s another sign that the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) bull run is justified. The indicator was revealed by shopping centre giant Scentre Group (ASX: SCG).

What’s the good news?

The ASX 200 retail landlord released a media update today. Customer visitation at the week ending 24 May 2020 has returned to 80% of what it had been in May the year prior. The coronavirus cloud appears to be lifting. 

I think that’s impressive. Approximately 80% of stores are open across Australian Westfield Living Centres and 93% of stores are open across New Zealand Westfield Living Centres.

I imagine more people will want to visit shopping centres once they’re back to 100% open again.

Obviously seeing that Australia’s infection numbers are very low helps. But Scentre said that the safety and hygiene measures are also helping. Some of those initiatives include signage, PA announcements, availability of hand sanitiser and more frequent cleaning in-centre.

There are apparently three top things that we’re looking forward to as easing restrictions ease are: going out for a meal, spending time with loved ones and going out shopping. I think that’s obviously that’s good news for Scentre.

I’m thinking of all of the ASX retailers that sell at Scentre’s locations. Some of the beneficiaries could be Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), Coles Group Limited (ASX: COL), JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH), Reject Shop Ltd (ASX: TRS), Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV), Premier Investments Limited (ASX: PMV), Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR) and so on.

Is Scentre a buy?

The Scentre share price is up 65% since 24 March 2020. I’m not sure how much it will keep recovering. There has been a shift to online sales over the past few months. I believe the return of shoppers to shopping centres is a good sign for Scentre, other retail landlords and the wider economy.

More reading

• RBA governor says economy “doing better than was earlier feared”
• Why now could be a better time to buy the underperforming CSL share price
• ASX 200 bull market! Why this ASX fundie is getting nervous
• ASX 200 up 2.4%: Blackmores raises $92m, big four banks jump, Nearmap rockets
• The next looming test for the ASX 200 bull market is just round the corner

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Premier Investments Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of COLESGROUP DEF SET, Wesfarmers Limited, and Woolworths Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Scentre Group. 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 to retire in the coming years, then now might be the time to start thinking about a retirement portfolio.

But which shares should you buy for it? If I were constructing a retirement portfolio, I would want it to have quality blue chips which pay dividends and have solid growth prospects.

With that in mind, here are three top options which I think could be part of a retirement portfolio:

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

I think Goodman Group would be a good option for a retirement portfolio. I believe the integrated commercial and industrial property group is well-positioned for growth over the next decade thanks to the strength of its portfolio. Goodman focuses on high-quality properties in key locations that it believes will deliver sustainable returns for investors. These include logistics and industrial facilities, warehouses, and business parks. One of the key attractions for me is its exposure to the ecommerce market through relationships with Amazon, DHL, and Walmart.

Sydney Airport Holdings Pty Ltd (ASX: SYD)

Another share which I would add to a retirement portfolio is Sydney Airport. The airport operator’s shares have fallen heavily this year because of the pandemic. And while its airport is a ghost town right now, it won’t be long until it is full of life again. Domestic tourism looks set to start its recovery in the coming months, with international tourism likely to follow in 2021. I’m optimistic by the end of 2022 the passenger traffic at its airports will be approaching pre-pandemic levels. This should put the company in a position to pay dividends that equate to very generous yields based on today’s share price. As a result, I think it could pay to be patient with this one.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

A final option to consider for a retirement portfolio is this conglomerate. I think the majority of Wesfarmers’ many businesses are well-placed for growth over the next decade. Not least the key Bunnings business which goes from strength to strength. In addition to this, with the company sitting on a mountain of cash, I don’t believe it will be long until it makes some earnings accretive acquisitions. All in all, I believe this leaves Wesfarmers well-positioned to grow its earnings and dividends consistently over the coming years.

More reading

• 3 ASX shares Warren Buffett couldn’t ignore today
• 1 key trait to look for with most top ASX growth shares
• 2 outstanding ASX 50 shares to buy today
• Is Wesfarmers in the buy zone?
• 3 easy rules for building a massive ASX share portfolio

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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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I think the market crash this year has demonstrated why having a balanced and diversified portfolio is very important.

Luckily for investors, diversification isn’t that hard to achieve. Four shares which I think would be good starters are listed below:

Aventus Group (ASX: AVN)

If you don’t have exposure to real estate, then Aventus could be worth considering. It is a retail property company specialising in large format retail parks. Its rental income has a reasonably high weighting towards everyday needs, with homewares, electrical, furniture, bedding and hardware making up the balance. I think this is a good mix and makes it one of the better options in the sector.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

The iShares S&P 500 ETF is an exchange traded fund that gives investors exposure to the 500 shares listed on Wall Street’s famous S&P 500 index. This index is home to many of the largest and most well-known companies in the world. This includes Apple, Amazon, Johnson & Johnson, Lockheed Martin, McDonalds, Microsoft, Visa, and Walt Disney.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF is probably as diverse as you can get with shares. This exchange traded fund gives investors exposure to a total of 1,579 of the world’s largest companies listed in major developed countries. Amongst its holdings are the likes of Apple, Nestle, Proctor & Gamble, and Google parent, Alphabet

Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW)

Finally, I think this conglomerate could be another way to add a bit of diversification to your portfolio. As well as its supermarkets, Woolworths is responsible for a wide range of businesses in different markets. These include Big W, BWS, Dan Murphy’s, and a large number of hotels/pubs. Given the positive outlooks for the majority of these businesses and their defensive qualities, I think Woolworths could be worth considering.

More reading

• Keytone Dairy share price storms 14% higher on new licensing agreement
• The Aussie dollar just hit an 8-week high. Here’s how it affects your ASX shares
• 3 easy rules for building a massive ASX share portfolio
• Where will the Coles share price be in 1 year?
• The ASX 200 just hit an 11-week high. Here are 3 reasons we might be in overvalued territory

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of Woolworths Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended AVENTUS RE UNIT and Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares 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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With June almost upon us (insert obligatory comment about how fast the year is flying by), it’s a great opportunity to examine our ASX share portfolios, and particularly our dividend shares.

2020 has been a topsy-turvy year so far for many reasons, with the shifting paradigm for ASX dividend shares part of the story.

Former ASX dividend share stalwarts like the banks are now dividend cutters. ‘Safe’ ASX shares like Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) are leaving income investors hanging.

So if I wanted to top up my portfolio’s income potential this June, here are 3 ASX shares I would use to do so:

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL)

‘Soul Patts’ is one of the best dividend shares on the ASX (in my opinion) and also one of the only shares I trust to keep its dividend flowing this year. In fact, I believe it to be ASX dividend royalty. Soul Patts has paid out a dividend every year of its existence (which goes back to 1903). Not only that, but this company has also increased its dividend payments every year for the last 20 years.

Soul Patts’ large stakes in ASX shares like TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPM) and Brickworks Limited (ASX: BKW) pour cash into the company’s coffers, whilst also giving it broad exposure to the Australian economy. Thus, if I had to choose a dividend share to buy this June, Soul Patts would be at the top of my list.

WAM Research Limited (ASX: WAX)

WAM Research isn’t too far behind though. This is a Listed Investment Company (LIC) that invests in small and mid-cap ASX shares like Tassal Group Limited (ASX: TGR) and City Chic Collective Ltd (ASX: CCX).

This company has proven its know-how, in my view, having delivered an average annual return of 13.4% over the past 10 years. On current prices, WAM Research shares are offering a trailing yield of 6.99%. Although WAX shares usually trade at a premium to their underlying Net Asset Value, I believe this hefty yield more than makes up for this fact.

SPDR S&P Global Dividend Fund (ASX: WDIV)

My last ASX dividend share for June is actually an exchange-traded fund (ETF). WDIV invests in dividend-paying companies from beyond our shores, specifically those which have held or increased their dividends for 10 years or longer. Its holdings are balanced fairly evenly between American, Canadian and Japanese companies, with the United Kingdom, France, Hong Kong and Australia also represented.

Thus, I think this ETF can provide some great global exposure and diversification to an ASX dividend portfolio. Some of its top holdings include Freenet AG, Enagas, Japan Tobacco and our own AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL). WDIV offers a trailing yield of 6.01%.

More reading

• What would $50,000 invested in the ASX 200 a decade ago be worth today?
• Have $4,000? Invest in these 4 ASX shares right now
• Should you ever buy into an ASX IPO?
• 3 ASX dividend shares to diversify your income
• 2 ASX shares that are absurdly cheap right now

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen owns shares of SPDR S&P Global Dividend Fund, WAM Research Limited, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Brickworks and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company 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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