• 3 ASX shares for a beginner’s portfolio

    young investor

    ASX shares are a great way for a beginner to start building their wealth.

    Unlike property which takes tens of thousands of dollars to start investing, you can start with ASX shares with as little as $500.

    Here are three ASX shares I’d buy as a beginner investor:

    Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

    The easiest way to invest may be to just invest in the entire global share market in just one investment.

    Vanguard is a world leader in providing exchange-traded funds. The idea is that Vanguard is owned by the investors and it shares its ‘profits’ by lowering steadily lowering fees.

    This ETF is invested in over 1,000 businesses across the world. It’s invested in businesses like Alphabet (Google), Microsoft, Amazon, Nestle, LVMH, Unilever, SAP, Toyota and so on. It’s not focused on shares on the ASX. 

    It’s the type of investment that could be your only investment for many years. It pays a decent dividend and only has a management fee of just 0.18%, which is very cheap for such a diversified product.

    Future Generation Investment Company Ltd (ASX: FGX)

    I think everyone should take an interest in Future Generation. It’s a philanthropic listed investment company (LIC) that donates 1% of its net assets each year to youth charities. It amounts to millions of dollars every year.

    The LIC invests in fund managers who work for free for Future Generation. It’s a great system. It offers excellent diversification with how many different funds it’s invested in, which each represents a portfolio of ASX shares. The shares it’s invested in are generally smaller, so they have more growth potential.

    I also like that the LIC has the potential to outperform when the market is falling with the cash it’s holding.

    An attractive portion of the returns come to investors in the form of fully franked dividends from Future Generation.

    MFF Capital Investments Ltd (ASX: MFF)

    MFF Capital doesn’t invest in ASX shares, it invests in some of the best shares in the world like Visa and Mastercard.

    Chris Mackay has expertly guided the globally-focused LIC to be one of the best performers over the past decade. I think MFF Capital can continue to be a long-term performer by the focus on quality and reasonable valuations.

    MFF Capital is growth-focused, so I think it suits beginners well because you don’t need big income to start with.

    Foolish takeaway

    I think each of these ASX shares would be a good way for beginners to start investing with their diversification and solid historical performances. At the current prices I’m more drawn to MFF Capital and Future Generation than the Vanguard ETF.

    These aren’t the only shares that would make good investments today, I also really like these shares…

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    One is a diversified conglomerate trading over 30% off it’s all-time high, all while offering a fully franked dividend yield of over 3%…

    Another is a former stock market darling that is one of Australia’s most popular and iconic businesses. Trading at a significant discount to its 52-week high, not only does this stock offer massive upside potential, but it also trades on an attractive fully franked dividend yield of almost 4%.

    Plus, this free report highlights 3 more cheap bets that could position you to profit in 2020 and beyond.

    Simply click here to scoop up your FREE copy and discover the names of all 5 cheap shares.

    But you will have to hurry because the cheap share prices on offer today might not last for long.

    As of 2/6/2020

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison owns shares of FUTURE GEN FPO and Magellan Flagship Fund Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended 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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  • Is 2020 a good time to get a credit card?

    using credit card to make online purchases

    In my view, 2020 could be the perfect time to get a credit card. There’s a lot of economic uncertainty right now, which has been reflected in how volatile the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has been lately.

    But before you start spending like crazy on the plastic, here are a few things to consider…

    Why 2020 could be a good time for a credit card

    I think one of the biggest advantages of using credit is keeping your money for longer. For instance, your card provider might afford you 60 or 90 days before payment is required.

    That means your money could be sitting in a savings account or used elsewhere for those 90 days. It might seem like small amounts of money, but these can add up over time.

    But the main reason why 2020 could be a good year for a credit card is the extra protection it can provide. When you pay on a debit card, that money is gone when you transact.

    However, when paying on credit, the risk really remains with the credit provider. That could be especially helpful if you’re booking travel in 2020.

    You might book a hotel or flight a few months ahead of time. If you pay by credit, and the hotel or airline cancels your booking, you could try and get a charge-back from the credit provider.

    It’s a similar story with buying from retailers right now. If you pay by credit card and the retailer folds before you receive your goods, you have a better chance of getting your money back than if you paid by debit.

    But… credit isn’t for everyone

    The important thing with credit cards is to not overspend. That can be particularly hard to do when economic times are tough.

    If you don’t trust your self control, paying by credit may not be the best option. Credit card debt can quickly spiral if you don’t have a good handle on your expenditure.

    There’s also the potential fees involved. Reward programs and sign-up bonuses can be enticing, but a no-fee credit card could be a better option depending on your goals.

    You could also look to dip your toe in the water with a service like Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) to see if you can control your spending without paying by debit card.

    If you want to invest rather than spend, here are a few ASX shares to add to the buy list.

    NEW! 5 Cheap Stocks With Massive Upside Potential

    Our experts at The Motley Fool have just released a FREE report detailing 5 shares you can buy now to take advantage of the much cheaper share prices on offer.

    One is a diversified conglomerate trading over 30% off it’s all-time high, all while offering a fully franked dividend yield of over 3%…

    Another is a former stock market darling that is one of Australia’s most popular and iconic businesses. Trading at a significant discount to its 52-week high, not only does this stock offer massive upside potential, but it also trades on an attractive fully franked dividend yield of almost 4%.

    Plus, this free report highlights 3 more cheap bets that could position you to profit in 2020 and beyond.

    Simply click here to scoop up your FREE copy and discover the names of all 5 cheap shares.

    But you will have to hurry because the cheap share prices on offer today might not last for long.

    As of 2/6/2020

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    Ken Hall has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO. 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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  • Forget term deposits and buy these high yield ASX dividend shares

    stack of coins spelling yield, asx dividend shares

    Earning an income from traditional interest-bearing assets like term deposits is becoming increasingly difficult.

    Right now, Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) is offering 1% per annum yields on 12-month term deposits. This is broadly in line with what other banks are offering.

    This means that even if you invested $1 million into these term deposits, you’d only get $10,000 of income from them.

    Fortunately, the Australian share market is home to a number of ASX dividend shares which offer vastly superior yields.

    Three dividend shares which I think would be great as part of a balanced income portfolio are listed below. Here’s why I would buy them:

    Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR)

    Dicker Data is one of my favourite ASX dividend shares. It is a wholesale distributor of computer hardware and software which has consistently grown its earnings and dividends at a solid rate for many years now. This looks set to continue in FY 2020 with management intending to increase its full year dividend by 31% to 35.5 cents per share. This represents a 4.5% fully franked dividend yield.

    Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO)

    Another dividend share to consider buying is Rio Tinto. It looks well-positioned to deliver strong profits in the near term thanks to sky high iron ore prices and its world class and low cost operations. Last month analysts at Morgans suggested that Rio Tinto’s shares could offer a fully franked ~8.5% FY 2021 dividend yield.

    Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY)

    A final option for income investors to look at is the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF. It invests in a wide range of high yielding dividend shares. This includes mining giants, the banks, and many other blue chip favourites. I like this exchange traded fund because of the diversity it gives investors. Which, as we have seen during the pandemic, is very important to have. I estimate that its units offer a forward dividend yield of at least 5%.

    NEW: Expert names top dividend stock for 2020 (free report)

    When our resident dividend expert Edward Vesely has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, he’s the investing genius that runs Motley Fool Dividend Investor, the newsletter service that has picked huge winners like Dicker Data (+92%), SDI Limited (+53%) and National Storage (+35%).*

    Edward has just named what he believes is the number one ASX dividend stock to buy for 2020.

    This fully franked “under the radar” company is currently trading more than 24% below its all-time high and paying a 6.7% grossed-up dividend.

    The name of this dividend dynamo and the full investment case is revealed in this brand new free report.

    But you will have to hurry — history has shown it can pay dividends to get in early to some of Edward’s stock picks, and this dividend stock is already on the move.

    See the top dividend stock for 2020

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro owns shares of Westpac Banking. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Dicker Data 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 Forget term deposits and buy these high yield ASX dividend shares appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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  • How to turn $20,000 into $275,000 in 10 years with ASX 200 shares

    growth shares, small caps

    I’m a big fan of buy and hold investing and believe it is one of the best ways for investors to grow their wealth.

    To demonstrate how successful it can be, every so often I like to pick out a number of popular ASX shares to see how much a single $20,000 investment 10 years ago would be worth today.

    This time around I have picked out the three ASX shares that are listed below:

    Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL)

    Aristocrat is a gaming technology company which has been a strong performer over the last decade. This is thanks largely to the popularity of its poker machines and the emergence of its lucrative and fast-growing digital business. Combined, they have underpinned strong earnings growth and market-beating returns for investors. Over the last 10 years its shares have generated an average total annual return of 21.9%. This would have turned a $20,000 investment into $145,000 today.

    Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP)

    Thanks to its successful expansion throughout Australia and in several international markets, this pizza chain operator has been growing its earnings at a very strong rate over the last 10 years. This has led to Domino’s shares generating an average total return of 29.9% per annum over the period. Which means that a $20,000 investment in its shares in June 2010 would now be worth a cool $275,000. The good news for shareholders is that Domino’s is aiming to grow its store footprint materially over the next five years. I believe this could lead to further strong returns over the next decade.

    Sydney Airport Holdings Pty Ltd (ASX: SYD)

    Despite losing almost a third of its value since hitting its high in December, this airport operator has still been a great place to invest over the last decade. Increasing international tourism from China and the United States and growing ancillary revenues have underpinned solid income and distribution growth since 2010. This has led to Sydney Airport’s shares beating the market with an average total return of 13.1% per annum over the period. This would have turned a $20,000 investment into $68,500 today.

    But that was then, what about now? I think the five quality shares recommended below could provide investors with market beating returns over the next decade…

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    Our experts at The Motley Fool have just released a FREE report detailing 5 shares you can buy now to take advantage of the much cheaper share prices on offer.

    One is a diversified conglomerate trading over 30% off it’s all-time high, all while offering a fully franked dividend yield of over 3%…

    Another is a former stock market darling that is one of Australia’s most popular and iconic businesses. Trading at a significant discount to its 52-week high, not only does this stock offer massive upside potential, but it also trades on an attractive fully franked dividend yield of almost 4%.

    Plus, this free report highlights 3 more cheap bets that could position you to profit in 2020 and beyond.

    Simply click here to scoop up your FREE copy and discover the names of all 5 cheap shares.

    But you will have to hurry because the cheap share prices on offer today might not last for long.

    As of 2/6/2020

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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.

    The post How to turn $20,000 into $275,000 in 10 years with ASX 200 shares appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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  • Should you buy ASX shares or hold cash right now?

    Bear and bull colliding over man holding an umbrella, asx 200 bull market

    It’s tempting to just hold cash when there’s market volatility rather than buying ASX shares.

    That’s certainly been on my mind in 2020 as we saw the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) quickly turn from record high into a bear market.

    So, should we all really be holding cash and waiting for the market to fall further?

    Time to buy ASX shares or hold more cash?

    Let’s start with the good things about holding cash.

    For one, it’s safer. Cash is about as safe an investment as they come which can be good if you’re nervous about the share market.

    Another benefit of cash is that it provides a buffer while times are tough. Many Aussies are facing the prospect of low or no wages in the short-term which means cash may be king right now.

    There’s also the chance to stockpile cash and buy ASX shares cheaply. Most of the big market crashes in recent years have taken 12-18 months to actually reach rock bottom.

    Despite falling lower in February and March, the ASX 200 has rebounded strongly. This could mean there are further falls to come as economic data and corporate earnings deteriorate.

    However, holding cash isn’t necessarily the ‘safe bet’ you might think.

    Firstly, there’s the opportunity cost. If you sit on the sidelines, you might miss out on potential gains.

    That’s been obvious from the recent ASX share market rebound. If you sold your holdings in mid-March, you might have had to buy back in at a higher price rather than just riding the wave.

    Secondly, there’s plenty going on to support the share market right now. This includes the central banks lowering interest rates as well as continued government stimulus packages pumping money into the economy.

    If ASX shares don’t crash as you expect, you could miss out on potential gains. Even if they do crash, you might still have been better off buying and holding for the long-term.

    Foolish takeaway

    It’s easy to become spooked and consider holding more cash when ASX share prices are volatile .

    While cash isn’t itself a bad thing and can be good to have a safety buffer, it may not be wise to go all-in.

    It’s important to remember your long-term time horizon and not panic-sell at the first sign of ASX share price falls.

    If you’re really that worried about your short-term gains or losses, maybe you’re not ready to invest in shares.

    Another option could be to hold defensive healthcare or energy shares, such as CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) or AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL), to ease some of of your nerves.

    If you’re after more dividend shares in 2020, don’t miss out on this top pick today!

    NEW: Expert names top dividend stock for 2020 (free report)

    When our resident dividend expert Edward Vesely has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, he’s the investing genius that runs Motley Fool Dividend Investor, the newsletter service that has picked huge winners like Dicker Data (+92%), SDI Limited (+53%) and National Storage (+35%).*

    Edward has just named what he believes is the number one ASX dividend stock to buy for 2020.

    This fully franked “under the radar” company is currently trading more than 24% below its all-time high and paying a 6.7% grossed-up dividend.

    The name of this dividend dynamo and the full investment case is revealed in this brand new free report.

    But you will have to hurry — history has shown it can pay dividends to get in early to some of Edward’s stock picks, and this dividend stock is already on the move.

    See the top dividend stock for 2020

    More reading

    Ken Hall has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of 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.

    The post Should you buy ASX shares or hold cash right now? appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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  • Are Macquarie Group shares worth investing part of $3,000 into this June?

    Globe on keyboard with investment key, international shares

    Do you have $3,000 to invest in shares this month? Below I’ll share my top three picks in BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ), CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) and Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) shares to either add to or help you start your share portfolio.

    I believe that shares are a much better alternative to keeping your money in a savings account or term deposit. The interest earned there often doesn’t even cover inflation.

    BetaShares NASDAQ shares

    The NASDAQ 100 ETF is comprised of the 100 largest, non-financial businesses on the US NASDAQ exchange.

    Australia’s tech sector is tiny compared to the US market. So, purchasing this exchange-traded fund (ETF) gives you instant diversification to a much larger tech market.

    It is home to some of the world’s most successful businesses with a high proportion being larger companies. This includes tech giants Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft, Google, Netflix and Apple.

    Many of these companies are world-leading brands, have strong positions in market niches and strong cash flow. 

    A significant proportion has also seen share price growth over the past 5 years well above a 10% average per annum. I believe that many will continue to grow strongly over the next decade. This, I feel, is likely to lead to above-average returns for this ETF, well into the next decade.

    CSL shares

    CSL has become a global market leader in blood plasma research and disease treatment. It now reaches more than 60 countries.

    Its strong growth over the past few years has been driven by high investment in research and development to create new products.

    CSL has invested significantly in research and development over the last 5 years. This creates a pipeline of new products. In FY19 alone it invested $832 million.

    I believe that CSL is well-positioned to deliver strong earnings growth over the next 5 to 10 years. This I feel, is likely to lead to continued strong share price growth.

    Macquarie Group shares

    Macquarie is a global financial services giant, headquartered in Australia, with a core focus on international investment banking.

    I think it is a good option if you want to gain some exposure to the financial services sector. I also believe that it is a better option than our 4 big banks.

    Its business model has evolved significantly over the last decade. Macquarie has now become a more balanced and diversified business. Whereas, in the past, it was too heavily focused on a small product set. For this reason, it got into trouble during the global financial crisis.

    Macquarie also currently pays an attractive trailing annual dividend yield of 3.6%.

    If you’re looking for an ever bigger list of shares to consider for your portfolio, I would recommend taking a look at the free Fool report below.

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    Our experts here at The Motley Fool Australia have just released a fantastic report, detailing 5 dirt cheap shares that you can buy in 2020.

    One stock is an Australian internet darling with a rock solid reputation and an exciting new business line that promises years (or even decades) of growth… while trading at an ultra-low price…

    Another is a diversified conglomerate trading over 40% off its high, all while offering a fully franked dividend yield over 3%…

    Plus 3 more cheap bets that could position you to profit over the next 12 months!

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    Phil Harpur owns shares of CSL Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of CSL Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended BETANASDAQ ETF UNITS and Macquarie Group 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 Are Macquarie Group shares worth investing part of $3,000 into this June? appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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  • These were the best performers on the ASX 200 last week

    beat the share market

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was on form again last week and recorded a very strong gain. The benchmark index climbed 4.2% over the five days to end at 5998.69 points.

    While most shares on the index pushed higher, some climbed more than most. Here’s why these were the best performers on the ASX 200 over the period:

    The Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) share price was the best performer on the ASX 200 last week with a massive 36.5% gain. This was despite Chinese lithium prices falling to their lowest levels of the year last week amid lacklustre demand for the battery making ingredient. Pilbara Minerals is one of the most shorted shares on the ASX with short interest of 9.25%. I suspect some of its gains could have been down to short sellers buying shares to close their positions.

    The Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (ASX: URW) share price was on form for once and surged 28% higher last week. This appears to have been driven by optimism over the reopening of economies and bargain hunters taking advantage of a recent collapse in the shopping centre operator’s share price. Even after last week’s gain, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield’s shares are down 55% from their 52-week high.

    The Adbri Ltd (ASX: ABC) share price was a strong performer last week with a 27.6% gain. The catalyst for this strong gain was the government announcing a $688 million HomeBuilder program to support the construction industry. This program will see Australians offered $25,000 grants to build a new home or start a major renovation. Adbri, previously known as Adelaide Brighton, looks well-placed to benefit as a building materials provider.

    The Perenti Global Ltd (ASX: PRN) share price wasn’t far behind with a 23.5% gain last week. This was despite there being no news out of the mining services company. These latest gains mean that Perenti, formerly known as Ausdrill, has seen its shares rally 225% higher since dropping to a 52-week low in late March.

    The Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) share price caught the eye last week with a 19% gain. Investors were piling into banking shares again on the belief that the sector’s outlook was not as bad as first feared. The big four banks were also strong performers and played a key role in driving the ASX 200 higher.

    Missed out on these gains? Then don’t miss out on these dirt cheap shares before they rebound…

    NEW! 5 Cheap Stocks With Massive Upside Potential

    Our experts at The Motley Fool have just released a FREE report detailing 5 shares you can buy now to take advantage of the much cheaper share prices on offer.

    One is a diversified conglomerate trading over 30% off it’s all-time high, all while offering a fully franked dividend yield of over 3%…

    Another is a former stock market darling that is one of Australia’s most popular and iconic businesses. Trading at a significant discount to its 52-week high, not only does this stock offer massive upside potential, but it also trades on an attractive fully franked dividend yield of almost 4%.

    Plus, this free report highlights 3 more cheap bets that could position you to profit in 2020 and beyond.

    Simply click here to scoop up your FREE copy and discover the names of all 5 cheap shares.

    But you will have to hurry because the cheap share prices on offer today might not last for long.

    As of 2/6/2020

    More reading

    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.

    The post These were the best performers on the ASX 200 last week appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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  • Novavax’s COVID Vaccine Candidate Left off White House List; 5-Star Analyst Explains the Implications

    Novavax’s COVID Vaccine Candidate Left off White House List; 5-Star Analyst Explains the ImplicationsThe Trump administration picked out five companies it believes are most likely to produce 2020’s holy grail – a vaccine for the coronavirus. Unfortunately, Novavax (NVAX) was not on the list.Although the White House didn’t disclose what lay behind the choices, 5-star B.Riley FBR analyst Mayank Mamtani provided some possible explanations.3 of the choices already have clinical studies in various degrees of progress (Moderna, AstraZeneca/Oxford University and Pfizer/BioNTech), whilst Novavax only began enrollment late last month. This implies to Mamtani that “speed to market entry” could be a major factor in the decision-making process.Whilst “risk diversification and cost sharing,” and a preference for large companies (Johnson & Johnson, Merck) with the necessary balance sheet required to conduct the extensive and pricey vaccine development and manufacturing may also be contributing factors.Even so, while those reasonings might explain the smaller player’s omission, Mamtani maintains Novavax should be added to the list.Mamtani said, “We remain encouraged by the de-risked nature of NVAX's vaccine candidate, on the basis of the most extensive preclinical data generated to date, and now reviewed closely by the global scientific community residing with CEPI, WHO, and SII, as well as U.S. agencies such as CDC, NIH-NIAID, and BARDA. We believe adding NVAX's NVX-CoV2373 on the basis of its proprietary adjuvanted recombinant nanoparticle platform could further help diversify development risk as well as tap into a relatively clearer path to market and manufacturing scale-up that NVAX has made tangible progress on recently…”To this end, Mamtani reiterated a Buy on NVAX and has a $74 price target, indicating the potential for 60% upside over the next year. (To watch Mamtani’s track record, click here)All other 4 analysts to post a Novavax review over the last 3 months recommend the stock a Buy, too. A Strong Buy consensus rating is accompanied by a $49.20 price target, implying room for an 11% uptick in the months ahead. (See Novavax stock analysis on TipRanks)To find good ideas for healthcare stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks’ Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks’ equity insights.

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  • These were the worst performers on the ASX 200 last week

    man looking down falling line chart, falling share price

    It certainly was a fantastic five days for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) last week. The benchmark index stormed 4.2% higher over the period to end at 5998.69 points.

    Not all shares were able to climb higher with the market, though. Here’s why these were the worst performers on the ASX 200:

    The Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX: GOR) share price was the worst performer on the ASX 200 last week with a 14.4% decline. This was driven by a pullback in the gold price after risk appetite improved. A number of other gold miners including Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN), Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST), Saracen Mineral Holdings Limited (ASX: SAR), and Silver Lake Resources Limited (ASX: SLR) were also among the worst performers during the week.

    The Nufarm Limited (ASX: NUF) share price was a poor performer last week and fell 8.9%. This decline appears to have been driven by a broker note out of Macquarie. According to the note, the broker downgraded Nufarm’s shares to an underperform rating with a $4.85 price target. Its analysts were underwhelmed with its trading update and appear concerned over its prospects in the important fourth quarter.

    The Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME) share price was out of form and fell 8% over the period. This was despite the healthcare technology company announcing a major contract win. It appears as though a broker note out of UBS offset this good news. The broker downgraded Pro Medicus’ shares to a neutral rating with a $29.65 price target. It made the move on valuation grounds.

    The TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPM) share price wasn’t far behind with a 7.2% decline last week. It looks as though some investors were taking a bit of profit off the table after a strong share price gain over the last month. TPG Telecom’s gain since the beginning of May was driven by optimism over the progress it is making with its merger plans with Vodafone Australia.    

    Need a lift after these declines? Then you won’t want to miss out on the five recommendations below…

    NEW! 5 Cheap Stocks With Massive Upside Potential

    Our experts at The Motley Fool have just released a FREE report detailing 5 shares you can buy now to take advantage of the much cheaper share prices on offer.

    One is a diversified conglomerate trading over 30% off it’s all-time high, all while offering a fully franked dividend yield of over 3%…

    Another is a former stock market darling that is one of Australia’s most popular and iconic businesses. Trading at a significant discount to its 52-week high, not only does this stock offer massive upside potential, but it also trades on an attractive fully franked dividend yield of almost 4%.

    Plus, this free report highlights 3 more cheap bets that could position you to profit in 2020 and beyond.

    Simply click here to scoop up your FREE copy and discover the names of all 5 cheap shares.

    But you will have to hurry because the cheap share prices on offer today might not last for long.

    As of 2/6/2020

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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 and recommends Pro Medicus Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus 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.

    The post These were the worst performers on the ASX 200 last week appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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  • Building a $100,000 portfolio with Afterpay shares and 3 other ASX companies

    asx growth shares

    Building long-term wealth through an ASX growth portfolio and inclusions like Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) shares is a lucrative path tempting many investors. Sure, you don’t get the certainty and income that more mature, dividend-paying companies can offer. But hitching your wagon to a real winner can be a life-changing experience.

    So, with that in mind, here’s how I would build a $100,000 ASX portfolio with ASX growth shares.

    Spend $25,000 on Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) shares

    Xero has been one of the biggest growth stars of the ASX for a few years now – and for good reason. This cloud-based software as a service (SaaS) company has baked up a storm with stellar subscriber growth numbers and a scalable business model. Last year alone, this company grew its subscribers by double digits in the target markets of the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia.

    It grew revenue by 30% – giving an indication of the company’s potential. Perhaps, unfortunately, the market has long known about its potential and shares are, therefore, priced accordingly. But that doesn’t stop a real winner in the end.

    Spend $25,000 on BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK) shares

    Aside from having my favourite ticker symbol on the ASX, I think this exchange-traded fund is a worthy investment for a growth portfolio. As the name implies, this ETF invests in companies operating in the digital security sector.

    I think the demand for cybersecurity services will continue to rise with the flood of commerce moving online every year (clearly accelerated in 2020). And these are exactly the kinds of companies HACK invests in. Some of its current holdings include Crowdstrike, Splunk, Cisco, and Palo Alto.

    Spend $25,000 on Pushpay Holdings Ltd (ASX: PPH) shares 

    Pushpay is another payments company. But unlike Afterpay’s buy now, pay later offering, this business targets the very niche area of donation management. It provides a model for any organisation that might still rely on the old ‘pass the hat around’ funding model – think churches and charities.

    The signs of the trend toward a cashless society are now becoming incontrovertible. This stems heavily from the coronavirus pandemic. As such, I think this company is worth having some faith in.

    Lastly, spend $25,000 on Afterpay shares 

    Finally, you can’t have a real ASX growth portfolio without at least considering this wunderkind. And after consideration, I think Afterpay shares more than deserves a role in our growth portfolio. This company has a remarkable track record of proving its detractors wrong over its short life. It has been able to easily crack the US and UK markets and appears to be growing strongly throughout this recent coronavirus crisis, despite fears over credit risk.

    I think Afterpay has a decent chance at one day rivalling the US-listed payment giants like Mastercard (NYSE: MA), Visa (NYSE: V) and American Express (NYSE: AXP). Thus, I think it’s a deserving company to have in our ASX growth shares portfolio.

    For some more shares you might want to add to your list, don’t miss the free report below!

    NEW! 5 Cheap Stocks With Massive Upside Potential

    Our experts at The Motley Fool have just released a FREE report detailing 5 shares you can buy now to take advantage of the much cheaper share prices on offer.

    One is a diversified conglomerate trading over 30% off it’s all-time high, all while offering a fully franked dividend yield of over 3%…

    Another is a former stock market darling that is one of Australia’s most popular and iconic businesses. Trading at a significant discount to its 52-week high, not only does this stock offer massive upside potential, but it also trades on an attractive fully franked dividend yield of almost 4%.

    Plus, this free report highlights 3 more cheap bets that could position you to profit in 2020 and beyond.

    Simply click here to scoop up your FREE copy and discover the names of all 5 cheap shares.

    But you will have to hurry because the cheap share prices on offer today might not last for long.

    As of 2/6/2020

    More reading

    Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO, PUSHPAY FPO NZX, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of BETA CYBER ETF UNITS. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended PUSHPAY FPO NZX. 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 Building a $100,000 portfolio with Afterpay shares and 3 other ASX companies appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

    from Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/379bfhY