• Hedge Funds Are Selling Unity Biotechnology, Inc. (UBX)

    Hedge Funds Are Selling Unity Biotechnology, Inc. (UBX)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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  • Is this ASX small cap the best placed to benefit from the $700m HomeBuilder grant?

    The federal government’s $688 million cash handout to stimulate the home construction sector will benefit several S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index:^AXJO) stocks. But there’s at least one ASX small cap that’s also well placed to cash in.

    This small cap is Beacon Lighting Group Ltd (ASX: BLX) and Citigroup believes the lighting retailer is better placed to outperform its peers in the post COVID-19 world.

    Best small cap retailer?

    “The introduction of the government’s $680 million HomeBuilder scheme, further entrenches Beacon Lighting as our top pick in small cap retail,” said the broker.

    “In our view the HomeBuilder scheme means that Beacon is well placed to continue outperforming the broader discretionary retail sector once JobKeeper ends.”

    That’s a big plus as there are worries about what would happen to discretionary spending in September.

    Not only will the JobKeepter wage supplement come to an end, but other support measures, like JobSeeker and the moratorium on evictions, ends.

    Beyond the HomeBuilder boost

    There are a few other reasons why Citi believes the $235 million small cap ASX stock will outperform most other retailers.

    Beacon’s outlets remained open throughout the coronavirus outbreak when many other retailers shut their doors. This means it faced less competition.

    Another reason is that consumers were actively engaging in home improvement projects during the lockdown, and that bodes well for Beacon.

    “We expect FY21e LFL [like-for-like] sales of 2% to be underpinned by renovation activity, noting that ~60% of Beacon’s customers are home renovators,” added Citi.

    “However, benefits from HomeBuilder may be skewed towards 2H21 given eligible building contracts can be executed up until 31 December 2020 and lighting is typically purchased at the later stages of a renovation.”

    Beacon shares on sale

    The stock is looking cheap too on the broker’s forecasts. Beacon’s shares are trading on an undemanding FY22 price-earnings multiple of 13 times, which is a 15% discount to its Australian housing retail peers.

    Citi is recommending the stock as a “buy” and lifted its price target to $1.24 from $0.95 a share. This implies a 16% plus return over the next 12-months if dividends are included.

    Foolish takeaway

    The way the HomeBuilder program is designed will benefit larger companies more than smaller ones.

    This is one of the criticisms of the stimulus as eligible projects have to be worth between $150,000 to $750,000. Small contractors and sole traders are likely to miss out.

    The same can be said about ASX companies. The grants will disproportionately benefit large cap stocks.

    Some of these companies that I’ve highlighted include building materials supplier James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX), Bunnings owner Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) and property developer Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP).

    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 Brendon Lau owns shares of James Hardie Industries plc. 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.

    The post Is this ASX small cap the best placed to benefit from the $700m HomeBuilder grant? appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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  • Invest like Warren Buffett with these ASX 200 shares

    warren buffett

    One investment strategy that legendary investor Warren Buffett has utilised throughout his career is buy and hold investing.

    This strategy involves investors buying shares in quality companies which have positive long term outlooks.

    Investors will then hold onto them for as long as the investment thesis remains intact, which allows them to benefit from compounding.

    The good news is that there are plenty of shares on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which I think would tick a lot of boxes for someone like Buffett.

    Three ASX shares that jump out at me are listed below:

    CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)

    The first ASX share which I think Warren Buffett would approve of is CSL. It is one of the world’s leading biotherapeutics companies and arguably Australia’s highest quality business. I’m a big fan of the company due to the strength of its portfolio of therapies, its expansive plasma collection network, and its heavy investment in research and development activities. Combined, I believe the company is well-positioned to continue growing its earnings at a strong rate for the foreseeable future.

    Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP)

    Another top buy and hold option to consider is Domino’s Pizza. I think it would tick a lot of boxes for Warren Buffett, especially given his exposure to the industry through an investment in Restaurant Brands International. I like Domino’s due to its strong brand, in demand offering, and its bold growth plans. Over the next five years the company is aiming to deliver annual same store sales growth of 3% to 6% and annual organic new store additions of 7% to 9%. I expect this to underpin strong earnings growth for many years to come.

    REA Group Limited (ASX: REA)

    A final share that I believe Warren Buffett would like is REA Group. I think the realestate.com.au operator is a quality buy and hold option. This is due to its market-leading position and its incredibly resilient business model. And while trading conditions are likely to be tough in the near term, I believe it is worth focusing on the long term. When the headwinds it is facing ease, I expect its earnings growth to accelerate.

    And recommended below are more top shares which I think Warren Buffett would be a fan of…

    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

    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 recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Limited and REA 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 Invest like Warren Buffett with these ASX 200 shares appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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  • 3 ASX dividend shares for retirees

    Retire Wealthy

    ASX dividend shares could be key for retirees to be able to fund their lifestyle in the future.

    Assets like bonds and term deposits don’t offer much income any more. Official interest rates have been pushed very low.

    I think ASX dividend shares can be the answer because they can generate bigger profits.

    Here are three ideas to look into for income:

    Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)

    Rural Funds is a farmland real estate investment trust (REIT). It has a diverse farm portfolio including almonds, macadamias, cattle, cotton and vineyards.

    There is always going to be demand for food, so Rural Funds should always be able to find a quality tenant for its farms. At the moment its weighted average lease expiry (WALE) is longer than 10 years right now, so there is a lot of income visibility as an ASX dividend share for retirees.

    It only has large businesses as tenants like Select Harvests Limited (ASX: SHV), Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) and Olam.

    Rental indexation is built into all of its contracts, which is linked to either a fixed 2.5% increase or CPI inflation, plus market reviews.

    As an ASX dividend share for retirees it has a solid FY21 yield of 5.5%. The most attractive thing could be that management aim to increase the distribution by 4% every year.

    Brickworks Limited (ASX: BKW)

    Brickworks is a very reliable option for income in my opinion. It hasn’t decreased its dividend for over 40 years. There aren’t many ASX dividend shares that could claim to be as reliable as Brickworks.

    There are three great divisions to Brickworks. It has a building products business that has been around for decades. It’s the leading brickmaker in Australia, but it also has other attractive businesses involved in roofing, precast, masonry and cement.

    The building product division was recently expanded with acquisitions in the US. It’s now the market leader in the north east of the country.

    It has a large holding of Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL) shares, which is seen as one of the most reliable, durable businesses on the ASX. Soul Patts itself is a great ASX dividend share for retirees.

    Finally, Brickworks has a stake in a growing industry property trust along with Goodman Group (ASX: GMG). It is steadily growing its net rental profit with more completed properties and steady rental growth.

    Brickworks has a grossed-up dividend yield of 5.1%.

    APA Group (ASX: APA)

    The infrastructure giant has been one of the best ASX dividend shares for retirees this century. It has grown its dividend every year for the past decade and a half. Few shares on the ASX have a distribution growth record going back before the GFC.

    It owns a vast network of 15,000km of natural gas pipelines around Australia with a presence in every mainland state and the Northern Territory. It also owns or has interests in gas storage facilities, gas-fired power stations and renewable energy generation (wind and solar farms). APA owns, or manages and operates, a portfolio of assets worth more than $21 billion and delivers half the nation’s natural gas usage.

    The ASX dividend share funds its distribution purely from its cashflow each year, which is steadily growing as new projects come online. It currently has a FY20 distribution yield of 4.4%.

    Foolish takeaway

    For retirees, each of these ASX dividend shares have very reliable income prospects over the coming years. Their share prices are likely to move up and down quite a bit, but the dividends should be reliable. At the current prices I’d probably go for Brickworks first.

    These aren’t the only dividend shares worth watching. This top dividend stock could be the best of all…

    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 Tristan Harrison owns shares of RURALFUNDS STAPLED and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Brickworks, RURALFUNDS STAPLED, Treasury Wine Estates Limited, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of APA 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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  • 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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    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 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.

    The post 3 ASX shares for a beginner’s portfolio appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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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

    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 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.

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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…

    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 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.

    from Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/3cBX2et

  • 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.

    NEW. The Motley Fool AU Releases Five Cheap and Good Stocks to Buy for 2020 and beyond!

    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!

    See for yourself now. Simply click here or the link below to scoop up your FREE copy and discover all 5 shares. But you will want to hurry – this free report is available for a brief time only.

    CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE REPORT!

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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.

    from Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/30cMCPV