• Biggest U.S. Mall Is Two Months Delinquent on $1.4 Billion Loan

    Biggest U.S. Mall Is Two Months Delinquent on $1.4 Billion Loan(Bloomberg) — The Mall of America, the largest U.S. shopping center, missed two months of payments for a $1.4 billion commercial mortgage-backed security, the latest sign of the devastating impact of pandemic-related shutdowns on the retail industry.“The loan is currently due for the April and May payments,” according to a report filed by the trustee of the debt, Wells Fargo & Co., which is also the master servicer for the loan. “Borrower has notified master servicer of Covid-19 related hardships.”Retailers and their landlords, hurt by competition from online stores before coronavirus-spurred shutdowns made things worse, are struggling to make rent and mortgage payments. Mall owners reported rock-bottom April rent collections, including about 12% for Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc., roughly 20% for Brookfield Property Partners LP and 26% for Macerich Co.A Wells Fargo spokesperson confirmed the Mall of America delinquency, declining to comment further. Representatives for the Mall of America, in Bloomington, Minnesota, didn’t respond to requests for comment on the missed payments.The 5.6 million-square-foot (520,000-square-meter) mall was ordered closed on March 17, and has announced plans to begin reopening on June 1, starting with retailers, followed later by food services and attractions, such as the mega-mall’s aquarium, cinema, miniature golf course and indoor theme park.“Reopening a building the size of Mall of America is no small task, but we are confident taking the necessary time to reopen will help us create the safest environment possible,” the mall said in a statement on its website.The Mall of America is owned by members of the Ghermezian family, whose holdings also include the West Edmonton Mall, a 5.3 million-square-foot complex in their Canadian hometown, and American Dream, a 3 million-square-foot mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey.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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  • 3 explosive ASX growth shares to buy

    If you’re looking to add a few growth shares to your portfolio, then I think the ones listed below would be great options.

    They all look well-positioned for growth over the next decade and could generate outsized returns for investors. Here’s why I like them:

    a2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M)

    The first growth share I would urge you to consider buying is a2 Milk Company. This leading fresh milk and infant formula company has consistently grown its earnings at a strong rate over the last few years thanks to the expansion of its fresh milk footprint and the insatiable demand for its infant formula in China. Given how its fresh milk footprint continues to expand and its infant formula still only has a modest market share, I believe there’s plenty more to come from a2 Milk Company. Another positive is its burgeoning cash balance. At the end of the first half it had NZ$618.4 million of cash. I suspect these funds could be used for earnings accretive acquisitions in the future.

    NEXTDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)

    The second growth share to consider buying is NEXTDC. I believe the data centre operator has the potential to be a long term market beater. This is because it is perfectly positioned to capitalise on the ever-increasing amount of data being generated by consumers and businesses. This consumption will only increase in the future as more software moves to the cloud and 5G internet adoption grows. As a result, I expect demand for capacity at its world class centres will be strong for many years to come.

    Pushpay Holdings Group Ltd (ASX: PPH)

    A final growth share to consider buying is Pushpay. It is a fast-growing donor management platform provider for the faith and not-for-profit sectors. While this is a niche market, it is certainly a very lucrative one. For example, the company recently released its full year results and revealed operating revenue of US$127.5 million and operating earnings of US$25.1 million. Both were up very strongly year on year. Looking to the future, management is targeting a 50% share of the medium to large church market. This represents a US$1 billion revenue opportunity. Given the quality of its offering, I believe it can achieve this and drive strong returns for investors.

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro owns shares of NEXTDC Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended PUSHPAY FPO NZX. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of A2 Milk. 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 dividend shares I would buy to beat low rates

    With the cash rate at a record low of 0.25% and unlikely to change any time soon, the interest rates on offer with term deposits and savings accounts look set to stay lower for longer.

    In light of this, I think income investors ought to consider investing in some of the quality dividend shares on the ASX.

    Three that I would buy next week are listed below:

    Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR)

    Dicker Data is a leading wholesale distributor of computer hardware and software. I think it is one of the best dividend shares on the local market and doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Especially given how it has consistently grown its earnings and dividends at a solid rate for many years now. Pleasingly, this positive trend has continued in 2020 despite the crisis. Management recently revealed strong first quarter profit growth and plans to lift its full year dividend by 31% to 35.5 cents per share. This represents a 4.75% fully franked dividend yield.

    Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

    Another dividend share to consider buying is this investment bank. I like Macquarie due to the quality and diversity of its earnings and its ability to deliver growth when the rest of the banking sector is struggling. And while it will not be immune from the pandemic and FY 2021 could be an underwhelming year, it has a long history of bouncing back strongly and generating solid returns for investors. At present I estimate that its shares offer investors a partially franked 4.8% FY 2021 dividend yield.

    Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)

    A final option to consider is Telstra. I believe the telco giant is well positioned to return to growth in the not so distant future. Especially given the return of rational competition in the telco industry, its T22 cost-cutting plans, and its leadership position in the 5G market. In the meantime, I am optimistic that the dividend cuts are over and its free cash flows will be sufficient to sustain its current 16 cents per share dividend. This equates to a fully franked 5.2% yield. Incidentally, I’m not alone with this view. As I wrote here, Goldman Sachs believes Telstra’s current dividend is sustainable.

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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, Macquarie Group Limited, and Telstra 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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  • Hertz: Car rental firm files for US bankruptcy protection

    Hertz: Car rental firm files for US bankruptcy protectionThe company said the coronavirus pandemic had led to an "abrupt" decline in bookings.

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  • Hertz files for U.S. bankruptcy protection as car rentals evaporate in pandemic

    Hertz files for U.S. bankruptcy protection as car rentals evaporate in pandemicThe more than a century old car rental firm Hertz Global Holdings Inc filed for bankruptcy protection on Friday after its business was decimated during the coronavirus pandemic and talks with creditors failed to result in much needed relief. Hertz’s board earlier in the day approved the company seeking Chapter 11 protection in a U.S. bankruptcy court in Delaware, according to court records. A large portion of Hertz’s revenue comes from car rentals at airports, which have all but evaporated as potential customers eschew plane travel.

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  • Exclusive: U.S. accuses China of blocking U.S. flights, demands action

    Exclusive: U.S. accuses China of blocking U.S. flights, demands actionThe U.S. government late on Friday accused the Chinese government of making it impossible for U.S. airlines to resume service to China and ordered four Chinese air carriers to file flight schedules with the U.S. government. The administration of President Donald Trump stopped short of imposing restrictions on Chinese air carriers but said talks with China had failed to produce an agreement. The U.S. Transportation Department, which is trying to persuade China to allow the resumption of U.S. passenger airline service there, earlier this week briefly delayed a few Chinese charter flights for not complying with notice requirements.

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  • Hertz Files for Bankruptcy After Rental-Car Demand Vanishes

    Hertz Files for Bankruptcy After Rental-Car Demand Vanishes(Bloomberg) — Hertz Global Holdings Inc. filed for bankruptcy in Delaware after sweeping travel restrictions and the global economic collapse destroyed demand for its rental cars.The Chapter 11 filing allows Hertz to keep operating while it devises a plan to pay its creditors and turn around the business. The action includes the company’s U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries, but doesn’t cover Europe, Australia and New Zealand, according to a statement Friday evening.Hertz said it had $1 billion in cash to support its operations, which include Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, Firefly, Hertz Car Sales, and Donlen. But it might need to raise more, perhaps through added borrowings while the bankruptcy process moves forward, Hertz said.The court petition listed about $25.8 billion in assets and $24.4 billion of debts. Its biggest creditors include IBM Corp. and Lyft Inc., according to the document.The second-largest U.S car-rental company began laying off workers to preserve cash in March as emergency measures to contain the coronavirus halted business and leisure travel. Hertz disclosed on April 29 that it had missed substantial lease payments related to its rental cars. It named a new chief executive officer in May — its fifth since 2014.Creditor TalksThe Estero, Florida-based company had been negotiating with lenders for relief as well as with the U.S. Treasury Department about the possibility of a bailout. But with dismal demand, an oversize fleet and plunging prices for used cars, Hertz didn’t have enough liquidity to last until a market recovery.“Uncertainty remains as to when revenue will return and when the used-car market will fully re-open for sales, which necessitated today’s action,” Hertz said.While all travel-related companies have been hurt by the pandemic, a big part of what’s weighed on Hertz is its strategy of owning or leasing a large portion of its fleet outright instead of acquiring them through buyback agreements with manufacturers. Hertz typically responds to falling demand by selling cars from its fleet, so it has been hit especially hard by a drop in prices at used car auctions.White & Case LLP is the company’s legal adviser, Moelis & Co. is the investment banker, and FTI Consulting Inc. is providing financial advice. Carl Icahn holds a 38.89% equity stake, Hertz said.Hertz, originally known as Rent-a-Car Inc., was founded in Chicago in 1918. It was operating 12,400 locations worldwide as of February, according to a regulatory filing.(Updates with subsidiaries and company statement, starting in the second paragraph)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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  • Dozens of Chinese companies added to U.S. blacklist in latest Beijing rebuke

    Dozens of Chinese companies added to U.S. blacklist in latest Beijing rebukeThe United States said on Friday it would add 33 Chinese firms and institutions to an economic blacklist for helping Beijing spy on its minority Uighur population or because of ties to weapons of mass destruction and China’s military. The U.S. Commerce Department’s move marked the Trump administration’s latest efforts to crack down on companies whose goods may support Chinese military activities and to punish Beijing for its treatment of Muslim minorities. It came as Communist Party rulers in Beijing on Friday unveiled details of a plan to impose national security laws on Hong Kong.

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  • Is the REA Group share price a buy?

    online real estate shares

    Is the REA Group Limited (ASX: REA) share price a buy? It has been a strong performer since 23 March 2020. It’s an interesting question now that property activity is returning.

    The REA Group share price has risen by around 50% since 23 March 2020. It’s now only down by 15% from 21 February 2020. That’s some recovery considering how much the landscape had been hit for REA Group.

    Property listings were down significantly a few weeks ago. In April national residential listings were down 33% with Sydney listings down 18% and Melbourne listings down 24%.

    Obviously REA Group is quite reliant on volume to make up a lot of its profit and cashflow. With some restrictions being lifted in different states, property listings, auctions and open houses can start to go back to normal. A return of property listings is good for the REA Group share price.

    I’m not sure how many people will be wanting to list their properties in this environment with buyers agents reporting that house prices in some areas have already dropped 10% compared to pre-coronavirus prices. There will always be some sales going on due to personal circumstances, which should keep things ticking over.

    Is the REA Group share price a buy?

    I think it’ll be very interesting to see what happens when the bank mortgage holidays stop and jobkeeper ends. Will there be lots of forced sellers coming onto the market? More volume would be good news for earnings and the REA Group share price. I definitely prefer it to Domain Holdings Australia Ltd (ASX: DHG) as it comes with potential international growth. 

    Lower interest rates do justify higher asset prices, but I’m not sure if a share price of around $100 is worth buying in the shorter-term. Patience may be the way to go for now. It certainly isn’t cheap considering the earnings hit in 2020.

    Instead of REA Group I think there are other shares that could be better buys today.

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended 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.

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  • Is the Wesfarmers share price a buy?

    Wesfarmers share price

    Is the Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) share price a buy? The conglomerate announced yesterday that it will be culling many Target stores across the country.

    Wesfarmers is a diversified business with several different divisions. It runs Bunnings, Officeworks, Kmart, Target, Catch and other industrial businesses.

    Target has been a disappointment for Wesfarmers for some time. It has tried to turn it around but this coronavirus period seems to have been the catalyst for Wesfarmers to decide to make a big change to Target. Investors didn’t seem to mind either way about the announcement either way, the Wesfarmers share price was essentially flat.

    What was in the Wesfarmers announcement?

    Wesfarmers said between 10 to 40 large Targets will be converted to Kmarts, subject to landlord support. “Approximately” 52 Target Country stores will change to small format Kmart stores. Around 10 to 25 large Target stores and the remaining 50 Target Country stores will be closed. The Target store support office will be significantly reduced.

    Kmart Group will take a non-cash impairment of between $430 million to $480 million. The industrial and safety division will also take a non-cash impairment of approximately $300 million.

    The FY20 will include a number of significant items. Both the negative ones I just mentioned and the gain of the sale of Coles Group Limited (ASX: COL) shares.

    Time to buy Wesfarmers at this share price?

    The two department stores of Kmart and particularly Target are struggling. But it’s important to remember that Bunnings, Officeworks and Catch are actually performing well during this period. If earnings hold up well then the Wesfarmers share price should be able to keep doing well too.

    I think the key will be what Wesfarmers does with its large balance sheet. It’s positioned to be able to make one or more large acquisitions. This could be a great time to do it with some businesses being distressed. If Wesfarmers acquires well then it could be a buy, otherwise it might be wise to wait for another market selloff considering the Kmart Group weakness and restructuring.

    There are some other shares that I think could be great opportunities today though.

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    Another is a former stock market darling that is one of Australia’s most popular and iconic businesses. Trading at a <strong>significant discount</strong> 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%.

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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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