• U.S. Stock Futures Drop as Protests Grow; Yen Up: Markets Wrap

    U.S. Stock Futures Drop as Protests Grow; Yen Up: Markets Wrap(Bloomberg) — U.S. stock futures fell as investors weighed the violent protests in some American cities that have stoked concerns about a reacceleration in infection rates and a damper on the economic recovery.The yen and gold edged up. S&P 500 futures opened lower. With Amazon scaling back deliveries and Apple closing some stores Sunday, investors are gauging how violence over the weekend will affect the reopening of the world’s largest economy. Crude oil fell. China’s markets will be taking in President Donald Trump’s latest barrage of China criticism, which stopped short of tough sanctions over Hong Kong.Traders on Monday will also take stock of a slew of manufacturing PMIs due, including from South Korea and Taiwan, after Chinese data over the weekend showed a continued bumpy recovery. The demonstrations in the U.S. could add another layer of complexity after a two-month rally in global equities from March lows.“The reopening could be disrupted and that can affect local state economies that just began to emerge from the pandemic,” said Ben Emons, managing director for global macro strategy at Medley Global Advisors.Here are some key events coming up:Australia’s central bank is expected to keep its main policy programs unchanged on Tuesday. So too is the case for Canada, which has options to add stimulus but will probably stand pat on Wednesday to allow more time to evaluate the progress of policy action.In Europe, the ECB is expected to top up its rescue program with an additional 500 billion euros of asset purchases. Anything less than an expansion at Thursday’s meeting would be a big shock, Bloomberg Economics said.The U.S. labor market report on Friday will probably show American unemployment soared to 19.6% in May, the highest since the 1930s.These are the main moves in markets:StocksFutures on the S&P 500 Index declined 0.8% as of 7:04 a.m. in Tokyo. The index climbed 0.5% on Friday.Futures on Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.1% on Friday, when Hang Seng futures advanced 0.6%. Futures on Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index slid 0.4%.CurrenciesThe yen rose 0.1% to 107.69 per dollar.The euro bought $1.1119, up 0.2%.The offshore yuan was steady at 7.1361 per dollar.The Australian dollar slid 0.1% to 66.58 U.S. cents.BondsThe yield on 10-year Treasuries fell four basis points to 0.65% on Friday.CommoditiesWest Texas Intermediate crude fell 1.7% to $34.90 a barrel.Gold rose 0.3% to $1,736.52.For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

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  • OPEC+ to Discuss Short Extension of Oil Output Cuts

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  • Is Evofem Biosciences, Inc. (EVFM) A Good Buy According To Hedge Funds?

    Is Evofem Biosciences, Inc. (EVFM) A Good Buy According To Hedge Funds?In this article you are going to find out whether hedge funds think Evofem Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:EVFM) is a good investment right now. We like to check what the smart money thinks first before doing extensive research on a given stock. Although there have been several high profile failed hedge fund picks, the consensus picks […]

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  • Here is What Hedge Funds Think About Endeavour Silver Corp. (EXK)

    Here is What Hedge Funds Think About Endeavour Silver Corp. (EXK)The latest 13F reporting period has come and gone, and Insider Monkey is again at the forefront when it comes to making use of this gold mine of data. We at Insider Monkey have plowed through 821 13F filings that hedge funds and well-known value investors are required to file by the SEC. The 13F […]

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  • Why I would buy CBA and these ASX dividend shares right now

    asx dividend shares

    With interest rates at ultra low levels and unlikely to improve any time soon, it is becoming nearly impossible for investors to generate a sufficient income from term deposits and savings accounts.

    But never fear! The Australian share market is home to a large number of quality dividend shares that offer vastly superior yields.

    Three such ASX dividend shares are listed below. Here’s why I think they are great options for income investors:

    BWP Trust (ASX: BWP)

    The first ASX dividend share to consider is BWP. I believe the real estate investment trust is well-positioned to deliver consistent income and distribution growth over the next decade. This is thanks to its high quality commercial assets which are predominantly leased to home improvement giant, Bunnings Warehouse. I believe Bunnings is one of the best retailers in the country and the risk of store closures and rental defaults is very low. At present I estimate that its units offer a forward 4.8% yield.

    Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

    If you don’t already have exposure to the banking sector, then I think Commonwealth Bank would be a good dividend share to buy. I believe it is the best option in the sector due to the quality of its business, brand, and balance sheet. And while trading conditions are tough now, I expect these headwinds to ease in the coming months. So, with its shares still down materially from their high, now could be an opportune time to make a long term investment. I estimate that its shares offer a fully franked 5.8% FY 2021 dividend yield.

    Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR)

    A final ASX dividend share to consider buying is Dicker Data. It is a distributor of computer hardware and software products across Australia. The company has been growing its earnings and dividend at a consistently solid rate for many years. The good news is that this positive trend looks set to continue thanks to new vendor agreements and strong demand. This year the Dicker Data board intends to lift its dividend by 31% to 35.5 cents per share. This represents a 4.5% fully franked dividend yield.

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended 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.

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  • Opinion: Pelosi Raises the Coronavirus Stakes

    Opinion: Pelosi Raises the Coronavirus StakesJournal Editorial Report: But will the Republicans offer an alternative? Image: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

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  • Opinion: Joe Biden Competes with Himself

    Opinion: Joe Biden Competes with HimselfJournal Editorial Report: Paul Gigot interviews Karl Rove on the Democratic nominee. Image: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

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  • These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares

    short interest

    Every Monday I like to look at ASIC’s short position report in order to find out which shares are being targeted by short sellers.

    This is because I believe it is worth keeping a close eye on short interest levels as high levels can sometimes be a sign that something isn’t quite right with a company.

    With that in mind, here are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC:

    • Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR) remains the most shorted share on the ASX despite a reduction in its short interest to 13.9%. Short sellers may believe the pandemic has accelerated the structural decline of department stores.
    • Speedcast International Ltd (ASX: SDA) has short interest of 12.7%. Speedcast is a communications satellite technology provider which has been suspended for several months. It is currently in the process of declaring itself bankrupt.
    • Galaxy Resources Limited (ASX: GXY) has seen its short interest remain flat at 12.5%. Galaxy is one of a number of lithium miners which are under pressure due to a material weakness in lithium prices.
    • Orocobre Limited (ASX: ORE) has seen its short interest rise to 11.4%. Orocobre is another lithium miner which short sellers have their eyes on. Especially given concerns that a recovery in lithium prices could be delayed by the pandemic.
    • Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) has seen its short interest jump to 10.9%. Short sellers appear concerned that some of Super Retail’s businesses may struggle because of the pandemic.
    • Pilbara Mineral Ltd (ASX: PLS) has short interest of 9.3%, which is down slightly week on week. Pilbara Minerals is the final lithium miner in the list. Despite falling heavily over the last 12 months, short sellers must believe its shares can go even lower.
    • JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH) has seen its short interest remain flat week on week at 9.3%. Some short sellers continue to target the retailer despite its solid sales performance during the pandemic.
    • Nearmap Ltd (ASX: NEA) is back in the top ten with short interest of 9.1%. Short sellers may regret this one. Last week the aerial imagery technology company’s shares rocketed higher after it provided a solid market update.
    • Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: CUV) has seen its short interest slide to 9.1%. Short sellers appear concerned over the valuation of the biopharmaceutical company’s shares.
    • Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING) has short interest of 8.9%, which is up slightly week on week again. The poultry company has had a tough 12 months because of the droughts and pandemic. Some short sellers appear to believe the tough times are here to stay.

    Finally, instead of those most shorted shares, I would buy the dirt cheap shares recommended below…

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Nearmap Ltd. and Super Retail 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 These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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  • Opinion: Trump Takes on Twitter

    Opinion: Trump Takes on TwitterJournal Editorial Report: The president’s favorite platform becomes enemy No. 1. Image: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

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