• Airlines, Hertz Add $8.6 Billion in Value on Expanded Schedule

    Airlines, Hertz Add $8.6 Billion in Value on Expanded Schedule(Bloomberg) — U.S. airlines and rental car stocks added $8.6 billion in market value Thursday after American Airlines Group Inc. said it plans to boost flights by 74% next month, suggesting that the worst of the pandemic-led travel standstill has passed.American surged 41% — adding $2.1 billion to its own market value — after saying its July schedule would see about 4,000 flights on its busiest days, up from about 2,300 flights now. Rival airlines, as well as rental car operators Hertz Global and Avis Budget Group, also rose as the expanded schedule echoed indications from peers that passenger demand is returning after all but disappearing in April as the coronavirus spread.The 9-member S&P Supercomposite Airline Index advanced 13% following the news Thursday. The gains boosted Delta Air Lines’s market cap by $2.5 billion, United’s by $1.6 billion and Southwest’s by $1.1 billion. The five remaining components grew by $1.2 billion among them.Hertz, pushed last month to file for bankruptcy protection by the sudden disruption to its business, soared 84%, adding $97 million to its beaten down market value. Avis Budget’s value increased nearly as much, $90 million, although the stock popped higher by just 4.8%.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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  • Euro Flashes Warning Signs Amid Longest Rally in Almost a Decade

    Euro Flashes Warning Signs Amid Longest Rally in Almost a Decade(Bloomberg) — The longest euro rally in almost a decade is at risk of petering out even as investors’ appetite for risk makes a comeback.Europe’s shared-currency climbed for a ninth day Thursday — the longest streak since 2011 — after the European Central Bank expanded its emergency bond-buying program to counter the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. It reached an almost three-month high of $1.1362, more than 4.5% above its May 25 low.Yet while the euro’s surge against the dollar and other peers took it past key resistance levels, some strategists are urging caution and technical gauges are flashing warning signs.“The ECB-induced euro rally is running out of steam,” Petr Krpata, a strategist at ING Bank said by email. Any “meaningful” euro gains should stem more from the dollar’s bear trend, rather than additional ECB impact, he said.The euro currently appears to be overbought against the greenback, based on a relative strength index — an indicator that measures the speed and size of price movements. A stochastic gauge, meanwhile, suggests that upward momentum may dwindle in coming sessions as the pair nears its year-to-date high of $1.1495.Citigroup’s global head of foreign-exchange analysis Ebrahim Rahbari reckons now is a good time to take some profits even though he remains bullish on the currency. And ABN Amro’s Georgette Boele says it is premature to expect a “continued strong rally” in the currency as “difficult discussions” are ahead on the European Commission’s stimulus program.The euro largely traded in lockstep with surging equity markets amid optimism about the prospects for a global economic recovery. Some are concerned that the recent surge in appetite for riskier assets may have gone too far, though, and that could also weigh on the common currency.There are echoes in the current move of the euro’s rebound in late March, when it recovered from its pandemic lows. Back then, a rally of around 5% in just over a week was followed by a 3.5% slide in a matter of days.Many observers nevertheless remain solid in their bullish calls for the euro. A trio of Societe Generale SA’s quantitative models are signaling that the euro is the top Group-of-10 currency that investors should wager on to rally.Nomura’s Jordan Rochester has a “high conviction” on the euro-dollar pair after last week flipping to a long position from a short one. And Standard Chartered’s Steven Englander says the euro region is looking more attractive.Yen CrossThe currency busted through several key technical resistance levels against its Japanese peer on Thursday. The euro rose as much as 1.3% to 123.92 yen, the highest since May 2019 and notched its longest such streak of daily advances in over a decade.The technical significance of the move was further bolstered by the fact that the pair has breached its 55-week and 100-week moving averages.But, as with the euro-dollar pair, further gains may be difficult to muster. The euro-yen cross has struggled in the past to breach its 200-week moving average — currently 124.50 — and RSI gauges are also signaling that it’s getting stretched.That, combined with concern about waning fundamental factors, could well provide fodder for euro bears.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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  • Slack tops Q1 revenue estimates, withdraws guidance for FY21 calculated billing 

    Slack tops Q1 revenue estimates, withdraws guidance for FY21 calculated billing Slack Technologies released its first quarter earnings report after hours on Thursday, beating on its top line. The company saw an added 12,000 net new paid customers and 90,000 net new organizations, but withdrew its guidance for the fiscal year of 2021 for calculated billing. Yahoo Finance’s Myles Udland breaks down the company’s results.

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  • These top ASX dividend shares could be perfect for income investors

    stack of coins spelling yield, asx dividend shares

    Fortunately, in this low interest rate environment, the Australian share market is home to a good number of dividend shares that offer generous yields.

    Two top ASX dividend shares that I would be buying right now are listed below. Here’s why I think they are top options for income investors:

    Sydney Airport Holdings Pty Ltd (ASX: SYD)

    If you can afford to be patient, then I think Sydney Airport would be a great dividend share to buy. The short term will be difficult the airport operator, but the crisis will pass and trading conditions will eventually return to normal. I believe this makes it worth considering a patient investment in the company’s shares. A recent note out of Goldman Sachs reveals that it expects travel markets to have recovered enough for the company to pay a 29 cents per share distribution in FY 2021. After which, the broker is forecasting a 37 cents per share distribution in FY 2022. This implies 4.75% and 6.05% distribution yields, respectively, over the next couple of years.

    VanEck Vectors Australian Banks ETF (ASX: MVB)

    If you don’t have exposure to the banking sector, then I think it could be worth looking at the VanEck Vectors Australian Banks ETF. Instead of trying to decide whether to buy Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) or one of the other big four banks for dividends, this exchange traded fund gives you a piece of them all. It also gives investors exposure to the regional banks and investment bank Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) as well. Due to dividend suspensions, cuts, and cancellations, it is hard to forecast what its dividends will be. However, I’m confident the VanEck Vectors Australian Banks ETF will provide investors with a dividend yield of at least 5% in FY 2021.

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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 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.

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  • Nikola is like Amazon and could be worth a $100 billion someday: founder

    Nikola is like Amazon and could be worth a $100 billion someday: founderYahoo Finance speaks with Nikola founder Trevor Milton as the electric- and hydrogen-powered truck maker debuts on the Nasdaq.

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  • 3 ASX shares to buy and hold for the 2030s

    There are some ASX shares that I’d love to buy today and hold for at least the 2030s in mind. There are others I wouldn’t want to have for 20 minutes. 

    Buying something and thinking you’re going to sell it a few months later isn’t giving your investments long enough to grow your portfolio.

    But if you invest with the long-term in mind then you’re much more likely to generate great returns with your ASX shares. But only buy the best. 

    So, with that in mind, here are three ASX shares I’d buy and hold for the 2030s in mind:

    Bubs Australia Ltd (ASX: BUB)

    In the business world it takes a while for a company’s plan to fully come together. It’s not a quick task when you’re talking about physical products and supply chains. But consumer-focused businesses can turn into very good businesses if they have a good product and brand.

    Bubs is a goat milk product business that is rapidly growing revenue with its infant formula offerings. It’s resonating with consumers in Australia, China and Vietnam. The ASX share is reporting impressive growth every quarter. In the March 2020 quarter it reported positive operating cashflow, which is a great step.

    Why would I hold it for the 2030s? It’s only just getting started in Asia and there are many, many countries that Bubs can target in the future. I’m not necessarily expecting Bubs to turn into a huge business, but it has a very long growth runway if it does well.

    Bubs is regularly growing its profit margins and it has a solid cash balance which can fund its growth for the foreseeable future.

    Propel Funeral Partners Ltd (ASX: PFP)

    The funeral operator ASX share has certainly been volatile over the past few months. Australia has luckily avoided the coronavirus mortality that has hit other countries. This should mean that the long-term thesis for Propel is intact because of Australia’s ageing demographics. The funeral restrictions lifting helps short-term profit.

    What kind of growth can Propel expect in the future? Death volumes are expected to grow by 1.4% per annum between 2016 to 2025 and then increase by 2.2% per annum from 2025 to 2050. That’s a steady growth runway for the business which is projected to pick up in the later 2020s and in the 2030s.

    All Propel needs to do is benefit from these tailwinds, increase its market share a bit and slowly increase prices to grow profit strongly using the power of compounding. 

    Pushpay Holdings Ltd (ASX: PPH)

    Pushpay is another ASX share with great growth prospects. It services the medium and large US church sector which management believe is a $1 billion revenue opportunity because of how much donations are given. It could possibly be higher than that if Pushpay does very well. 

    If the ASX share can achieve that goal it will become a much bigger business, which should also come with higher profit margins. It’s the type of business model that could see good recurring revenue from regular donations year after year.

    I think Pushpay has a good opportunity by the 2030s to expand to other countries or perhaps grow into other donation areas. This would increase Pushpay’s total addressable market even more.

    A recent acquisition has improved the ASX share’s market position and there is potential for more acquisitions in the future.

    Foolish takeaway

    I think all three of these ASX shares can steadily grow their revenue and profit into the 2030s, yet all three of them are fairly small, so they have a big growth runway. I’d be very happy to buy shares today.

    There are some more ASX shares I’d love to buy for the 2030s and beyond, like these top picks…

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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%…

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    Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of PUSHPAY FPO NZX. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended BUBS AUST FPO. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Propel Funeral Partners Ltd and 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.

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  • Wall St. pro says the current rally reminds him of March 2009

    Wall St. pro says the current rally reminds him of March 2009As the S&P 500 (^GSPC) hovers around 40% from its March 23rd low, one veteran strategist is reminded of the massive rally that took place when the markets were emerging from the financial crisis 11 years ago.

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  • 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

    On Thursday the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) continued its positive run and stormed higher again. The benchmark index ended the day 0.85% higher at 5,991.8 points.

    Will the market be able to build on this on Friday? Here are five things to watch:

    ASX 200 expected to drop.

    It looks set to be a subdued end to the week for the ASX 200 index. According to the latest SPI futures, the benchmark index is poised to fall 13 points or 0.2% at the open. This follows a mixed night of trade on Wall Street, which saw the Dow Jones rise 0.05%, the S&P 500 fall 0.35%, and the Nasdaq index drop 0.7%.

    Appen insider sales.

    The Appen Ltd (ASX: APX) share price will be on watch today after the artificial intelligence company revealed large insider sales. Non-Executive Chairman, Chris Vonwiller, sold 2 million Appen shares on-market. This was for a number of personal reasons, including philanthropic endeavours. The company’s CEO and Managing Director, Mark Brayan, has also been selling shares. He sold 95,535 shares to satisfy tax obligations and diversify personal investments. Finally, Non-Executive Director, Bill Pulver, sold 275,000 shares to diversify personal investments.

    Oil prices edge higher.

    Energy shares including Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) could be on the rise today after oil prices edged higher. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 0.1% to US$37.32 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price has risen 0.4% to US$39.95 a barrel. Traders appear optimistic that OPEC will announce further product cuts.

    Gold price rebounds.

    It could be a good day for Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) after traders were back buying gold again overnight. According to CNBC, the spot gold price is up 0.9% to US$1,720.30 an ounce. Trader were buying gold after Wall Street’s rally started to fizzle.

    Vocus rated as a buy.

    The Vocus Group Ltd (ASX: VOC) share price could be going higher from here according to analysts at Goldman Sachs. This morning the broker reiterated its buy rating and $3.85 price target on the company’s shares after it reaffirmed its guidance for FY 2020. Goldman notes that this guidance update has de-risked its positive investment view.

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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%…

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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 Appen 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.

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  • ‘Stay at home stock’ Slack Technologies dips ahead of report

    'Stay at home stock' Slack Technologies dips ahead of report“The biggest risk to Slack in our view is that the good news is ‘already out there’,” warned Canaccord Genuity analyst David Hynes in a recent client note, maintaining his “buy” rating on the stock. In Slack’s report after the bell, analysts on average expect a 39.5% jump in quarterly revenue to $188 million and a non-GAAP loss of 6 cents per share, according to Refinitiv. Slack is trading at the equivalent of 23 times its expected 12-month sales, according to Refinitiv, an unusually high level, even among other fast-growing software companies.

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