Australia has a small but fast-growing ASX tech sector. Some of these listed companies have already made it to the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

Here we look at 3 of those companies, all of which I believe are good options to buy and hold for the long term.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech Global is the leading global developer of software solutions to the logistics industry. The company has a strong and entrenched position in this market.

The WiseTech share price fell heavily from mid-February to mid-March by more than 60%. The company’s supply chains were significantly impacted during the early phase of the coronavirus crisis. As a result, the company downgraded its earnings projections for FY2020 back in February to between 5% and 22% year-over-year growth.  

Since then, the WiseTech share price has rallied strongly and regained about half of those losses. Global markets are now beginning to open up, especially the Chinese market. This should hopefully lead to further uplift in sales.

More challenges in the months ahead may lead to additional share price volatility for WiseTech. However, I believe that its long-term growth prospects remain strong, driven by the growing demand for logistics solutions.

Appen Ltd (ASX: APX)

Appen provides data for use in machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) and is the global leader in this field.

In a market update last week, Appen commented that its earnings base continues to be resilient. This is in spite of challenging market conditions. So far, there has been negligible impact on its customer base, except for some smaller customers.

Appen further revealed that its balance sheet continues to be strong with cash in excess of $100 million. It will also continue to invest in technology areas that will help achieve its long-term growth trajectory.

I think that Appen remains well placed for strong growth over the next 5 years. This will be driven by the rapidly rising demand for AI products and machine learning solutions.

Altium Limited (ASX: ALU)

Altium designs software that enables engineers to manufacture printed circuit boards for a broad range of devices. This includes everything from computers to cars and the growing number of interconnected devices that make up the ‘internet of things’ (IoT).

Altium has recently experienced challenges to sales, especially at the smaller end of its target market. It recently noticed signs of distress amongst some start-ups and other smaller customers.

Despite these short-term challenges, I believe that Altium’s long-term future still remains bright. It has a strong balance sheet and has continued to grow its margins over the past few years.

In particular, IoT is a rapidly growing sector. This provides Altium with plenty of scope to grow strongly over the next 5 to 10 years.

More reading

• Why Woolworths shares are offering a rare buying opportunity today
• In your 50s? Here are the 2 best ASX 200 shares to buy now
• These ASX shares are set to get a big boost from the next big government stimulus
• These 5 ASX 200 shares were last week’s biggest winners
• 3 leading ASX 200 shares to buy for market-beating returns

Motley Fool contributor Phil Harpur owns shares of Altium, Appen Ltd, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of Altium, Appen Ltd, and WiseTech Global. 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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I think that WAM Global Limited (ASX: WGB) is a great share for those investors who are older than 50.  

If you’re in retirement, or getting closer to retirement, I think it becomes more important to have good diversification in your portfolio.

I also believe that most Aussie investors should have some exposure to shares that are listed overseas. The ASX only makes up 2% of the global share market.

Why WAM Global is a great share for investors older than 50

WAM Global is a listed investment company (LIC). That means the job of the investment team at Wilson Asset Management (WAM) is to invest in shares on your behalf.

Investors older than 50 may not have the time or desire to continually manage their investment portfolio. WAM Global can do the investing decisions for you.

As the name might suggest, this LIC invests in global shares.

What are some of the shares it owns right now? At the end of April 2020 it owned shares like Tencent, Amazon, Aon, Activision, CME Group, Costco, Doller General, Hasbro, Hello Fresh, Intuit, Logitech, Lowe’s, Microsoft and Nomad Foods. That’s a defensive group of names that’s suited to no matter what happens with the coronavirus.

What about the dividend?

LICs have the ability to turn capital gains made and investment income received into a smoothed dividend to investors older than 50 (and all other shareholders). WAM Global has been steadily growing its dividend since it started paying one. Keep in mind it only listed in June 2018.

It currently offers an annualised fully franked dividend of 6 cents per share. This amounts to a grossed-up dividend yield of 4.2%.

For investors older than 50 that’s not a huge yield. But it will probably keep growing over time. Just like the other WAM LICs have done.

Is it a good time to buy right now?

WAM Global’s share price has recovered strongly since 23 March 2020 – it’s up 47%. In March would have been the best time to buy. The share price discount to the net tangible asset (NTA) isn’t as big as it used to be. Australia’s dollar has continued to strengthen. 

At the end of April 2020 it had a pre-tax NTA of $2.25, so today’s share price is an 8.5% discount to the NTA last month. Many share prices have been rising throughout May 2020, so the discount could be somewhere in the mid-teens.

I think it’s a good price today to buy for the long-term for investors older than 50, though be aware there could be another market fall later this year.

More reading

• Top ASX Stock Picks for June 2020
• 2 ASX shares that are absurdly cheap right now
• How to build good wealth with small investments
• Do you have $3,000 to invest in these 3 top ASX dividend shares?
• How to build your first ASX share portfolio

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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.

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I think there’s a rare buying opportunity for Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares today.

Woolworths shares have had a fairly interesting ride lately.

Back in February, Woolworths shares made a fresh new all-time high of $43.96. Then the March share market crash hit and the shares went all the way down to $32.12. When it became apparent that Australians were stocking up on food, toilet paper, and other essentials in February and March, the Woolies share price rebounded back to the $40 level.

But since then, Woolworths shares have languished while the rest of the market has surged. For some context, since 23 March the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has risen close to 28%. Woolworths shares? A 3.66% drop.

Why are Woolworths shares stuck in the mud?

You would think that after Woolworths reported a record quarter (ending 31 March 2020) that investors would be scrambling to get a hold of this company’s shares. Especially those investors who were willing to pay nearly $45 for the same shares just a few months ago.

But investors know that the healthy bump Woolies got in February and March isn’t here to stay. According to the company, consumption patterns have more or less returned to normal. What hasn’t returned to normal though is Woolworths’ spending. The company has had to ramp up costs considerably as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Safety screens, extra cleaning, enforcing social distancing at its stores, and additional staffing costs are all expensive and will probably be weighing the company’s balance sheet down for at least the next year, possibly longer.

It’s my view that investors are seeing these costs and as a result, aren’t in a rush for Woolworths shares.

Why the Woolworths share price might be a buy today

At current levels, I’m seeing a pricing opportunity for Woolworths shares. Why? Because the company is trading at no premium to its arch-rival Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL). Being a larger, more diverse company with a higher market share of the Australia grocery industry, Woolworths has historically commanded a pricing premium to Coles.

But today, the shares are neck-and-neck. On current prices of $35.28 (at the time of writing), Woolworths shares are trading on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 17.48 and a trailing dividend yield of 2.93%.

If we look at the Coles share price at $15.48, we can see a P/E ratio of 17.08 and a trailing dividend yield of 2.77%.

So the companies are pretty much dead-even on a P/E basis and Woolworths actually comes out on top regarding dividend yield.

Foolish takeaway

I think dividend shares will continue to be in demand in 2020 as a result of record-low interest rates. And in my view, Woolworths is one of the most reliable ASX dividend shares on the ASX today.

As such, I think Woolworths is a decent buy today.

More reading

• 3 ASX 200 tech shares to buy and hold beyond 2025
• In your 50s? Here are the 2 best ASX 200 shares to buy now
• These ASX shares are set to get a big boost from the next big government stimulus
• These 5 ASX 200 shares were last week’s biggest winners
• 3 leading ASX 200 shares to buy for market-beating returns

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of COLESGROUP DEF SET and Woolworths 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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If you’re looking to add a few blue chip ASX shares to your portfolio this month, then the two listed below could be good options.

I believe these blue chip ASX shares have the potential to provide strong returns for investors over the next few years. Here’s why I would buy them in June:

CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)

The first ASX blue chip share to consider buying is this leading biotherapeutics company. Its shares were surprisingly out of form in May and are now trading around 17% lower than their 52-week high. I think this is a buying opportunity for investors that have been wanting to get a piece of the company.

And while there is a danger that the pandemic could have impacted its plasma collections during lockdowns, I believe higher unemployment will support collections once the crisis passes. Outside this, I believe its long term outlook remains very positive. This is thanks to the strong demand for immunoglobulin products, its growing Seqirus vaccine business, and its burgeoning research and development pipeline. All in all, I believe CSL is a blue chip to own for the long term.

Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)

I think Telstra is another great blue chip ASX share to own right now. After several years of struggles, the telco giant appears close to returning to growth once again. This is thanks to a combination of its T22 strategy, rational competiton, and the easing of the NBN headwind.

In fact, if it had not been for the NBN headwind, Telstra’s operating earnings would have been up on the prior corresponding period during the first half. In light of this and the current free cash flows it is generating, I believe its dividend cuts are over and 16 cents per share is the bottom. This equates to an attractive fully franked yield of almost 5%.

More reading

• In your 50s? Here are the 2 best ASX 200 shares to buy now
• 5 winning ASX dividend shares to buy in June
• Why Austal, CSL, Fortescue, & Star shares are charging higher today
• 5 ASX 200 winners and 3 losers from last week
• ASX 200 Weekly Wrap: Surging bank shares push ASX toward 6,000

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 owns shares of and has recommended 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.

The post Why I would buy these ASX 200 blue chip shares in June appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) investors in their 50s are likely starting to think about retirement. The makeup of your investment portfolio is an important consideration. You may want to purchase more dividend-paying shares, as well as larger more stable businesses. Further, diversification is more important than ever to preserve capital.

Investors in their 50s

As investors we’re a motley crew. We all have motley goals, motley resources and motley risk appetite. Because of this, it is important to understand your own personal circumstances and invest accordingly. The below ASX stocks will be fantastic options for most investors in their 50s, but not for all. 

2 best ASX 200 shares to buy now

CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)

The largest company in the ASX 200 is a compounding machine! Over the last 20 years CSL has provided investors with a mega 20% annualised total return. The company’s performance has been even better in recent times, returning more than 25% per annum in total returns over 5 and 10 years.

After seeing the CSL share price fall more than 10% in May, I think now provides a nice entry point for new ASX 200 investors. Most of the drop can be attributed to profit taking and concerns over plasma collection issues resulting from COVID-19.

Despite its vast size, CSL should continue to grow well in the future. The stock price may not appreciate as fast as in the past, but I believe that CSL can provide robust market outperformance with less volatility.

Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

Most people earn their income in Australia, have their savings in Australia and invest in Australia. Australia is the lucky country, but I think ASIA is a great option for ASX 200 investors in their 50s because of its diversification.

This ETF is a great way to diversify geographically into one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Not only that, it provides access to the technology sector, which is underweight in the ASX. 

It can often be hard to pick the winner in new technologies. Investment trends such as e-commerce and cloud computing have enormous addressable markets. Because of this, there is likely to be more than one winner in a region. As a market capitalisation weighted ETF, you gain more and more exposure to the businesses winning in these trends over time.

Some of the largest holdings include Alibaba Group and Tencent.

Foolish takeaway

Your 50s is a great time to start diversifying your portfolio and structuring it towards your income needs. Shares should make up part of a well balanced portfolio of multiple investment classes.

More reading

• 3 ASX 200 tech shares to buy and hold beyond 2025
• Why Woolworths shares are offering a rare buying opportunity today
• Why I would buy these ASX 200 blue chip shares in June
• These ASX shares are set to get a big boost from the next big government stimulus
• These 5 ASX 200 shares were last week’s biggest winners

Lloyd Prout owns shares in Betashares Asia Technology Tigers Ltd and expresses his own opinions. 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 BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers 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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The integrated chip came about largely due to the first Apollo moon mission. The enabler of all of today’s advanced technologies. The SpaceX launch on the weekend ushered in a new era of space exploration, with the US Space Force on one side and private industry squarely on the other. 

I believe one of the companies I have been watching for a while is likely to benefit greatly from any increased activity in space exploration.

A SpaceX style startup

Since 1983, Electro Optic Systems Hldg Ltd (ASX: EOS) has quietly gone about building high tech solutions to problems most of us are unaware of. It has an international presence across Australia, Singapore, the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Germany. It has also been in a strategic alliance with NASDAQ-listed defence giant Northrop Grumman.

In my opinion, the SpaceX rocket could not have docked with the international space station without Electro Optic. It is developing the technology to help with over 500,000 pieces of space debris travelling at around 30,000km per hour. This represents a serious threat to satellites, the international space station and more. 

In this area, Electro Optic has an Australian-based space situational awareness (SSA) network. This monitors and tracks orbiting space-based objects such as satellites and debris using ground-based radar and optical stations. 

That we have a company like this astounded me.

A strong defence company

As with Austal Limited (ASX: ASB), Electro Optic also provides technology and equipment to the defence markets. In this area, it develops a range of remote weapons systems for use on tactical vehicles. Electro Optic offers battle-proven technology and world-leading counter-drone technology. This has been enabled by its laser rangefinder technology. 

A well-managed company

Companies like SpaceX are massive growth engines. Amazon.com is another such example. Growth engines are massively unprofitable until the day they are. Then they are money-making factories.

Electro Optic, on the other hand, has always managed a very tight ship in my opinion. Over the past 10 years, it has grown its sales an average of 18% every year. In fact, it has managed to nearly double its sales in each of the past 3 years.

Foolish takeaway

In my opinion, the SpaceX launch and the US President announcement of Space Force, combined with heightened international tensions, are sure to increase the sales for Electro Optic in the years to come. The company has built a foundation based on excellent performance and advanced technology.

Electro Optic shares are currently trading at a price-to-earnings ratio higher than their 8-year average. However, I still believe this company deserves a place on your watchlist.

More reading

• Grow your wealth with these exciting ASX mid cap shares
• These mid cap ASX shares could grow into large caps in the future
• These ASX shares could make you a millionaire in 2030

John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Daryl Mather owns shares of Austal Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Amazon. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Austal Limited and recommends the following options: short January 2022 $1940 calls on Amazon and long January 2022 $1920 calls on Amazon. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon. 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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Investors have always sought the protection of gold in cases of recessions and financial crises. Gold was already off to a strong start in 2020 following geopolitical escalations between the US and China, and the US and Iran. The coronavirus pandemic further propped up gold prices to almost record all-time highs.

This is why investors should be watching ASX gold shares instead of trying to pick ‘cheap’ stocks and dividend traps. 

Tailwinds for gold 

Safe-haven buying has been fuelled by the collapse of global equity markets in first quarter of the year. Central banks around the world have their printing machines running overtime in an attempt to cushion the economic repercussions of the coronavirus. Furthermore, interest rates were slashed by major global central banks, with the Reserve Bank of Australia cutting rates to 0.25% and the US Federal Reserve cutting interest rates to zero percent. Printing more money and raising debt should see fiat currencies get devalued. 

Additionally, China’s decision to curb Hong Kong’s autonomy by pushing forward a controversial national security law and the likelihood of a strong US retaliation will continue to support stronger gold prices, in my opinion. As reported by the BBC, President Donald Trump has said that “this is a tragedy for Hong Kong … China has smothered Hong Kong’s freedom”. Rising tensions could put the US–China trade deal agreed in January at risk. 

As economies around the world begin to restart economies by relaxing lockdown measures and allowing businesses to reopen, there is the risk of a ‘second wave’ of coronavirus infections. While global equities have rebounded and remain optimistic, a second wave could initiate another broad market sell-off. 

ASX gold shares

ASX gold miners are an excellent avenue to gain gold exposure without having to directly invest in the commodity. There are a broad range of gold miners that have differing growth and cost characteristics. 

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) and Saracen Mineral Holdings Limited (ASX: SAR), for example, have typically been more growth orientated, favouring acquisitions and the expansion of their mining capabilities. Both miners are involved in the joint venture of the KCGM, the largest open pit mine in Australia and the 2nd highest producer of gold. These significant acquisitions have generated immediate revenue and continue to provide the businesses with additional exploration and reserve upside. While I would say Northern Star and Saracen are more volatile and risky investments, their ‘growth’ orientated business models have seen significant capital gains for their long-term investors. 

Alternatively, Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) are more cost-focused with some of the lowest all-in sustaining costs. Evolution and Newcrest are well positioned to leverage off higher gold prices given their low production costs. 

More reading

• Why these 3 ASX 200 blue chips could be set for growth this week
• 5 ASX 200 winners and 3 losers from last week
• ASX 200 Weekly Wrap: Surging bank shares push ASX toward 6,000
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Top ASX Stock Picks for June 2020

Motley Fool contributor Lina Lim 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.

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Speculation that the federal government is readying a large home buyer’s grant could put the building materials sector on an earnings upgrade cycle.

There are reports that the Morrison government will announce later this week that new home buyers will get a cash handout of between $20,000 to $40,000.

This fourth round of stimulus is aimed at protecting the home construction industry from falling off a cliff, according to a report on Yahoo.

New housing grant

Around 380,000 tradies are expected to benefit from the generous cash handout for existing and first-home buyers looking to purchase newly constructed dwellings.

There’s even talk that the grant will be made available for home renovations, although we shouldn’t get too excited just yet as nothing is confirmed.

The only thing that seems to be reasonably certain is that the new housing grant will at least match the $21,000 offered by the Rudd government during the global financial crisis.

Building to an upgrade

If the new measure works as intended and provides a strong pipeline of home construction activity, brokers will likely scramble to upgrade their earnings expectations for a number of ASX shares.

These include building materials companies Boral Limited (ASX: BLD), CSR Limited (ASX: CSR), Adbri Ltd (ASX: ABC) and James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX).

It’s probably no coincidence that two of the four shares are among the top five best performers on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index:^AXJO) today. The pair is Boral and Adbri as they are the worst in the group and would probably have the most to gain.

More stimulus in the pipeline

But the industry may also get a second tailwind. State governments are also tipped to announce separate stimulus on top of the up to $40k grant.

Governments are forced to act after the industry’s peak body, Master Builders Australia, predicted 400,000 building businesses and 1.2 million jobs were in jeopardy due to housing downturn.

The association is pushing for renovations to be included in the package as it claims that will generate $7 billion in economic activity and 24,036 jobs.

“Work for builders and tradies in 2020/21 is fast evaporating and the indications are that 2021/22 will not be much better,” said the chief executive of Master Builders, Denita Wawn.

Other ASX stocks to benefit

If renovations are included, it won’t only be building materials companies that will be smiling. Hardware retailers owned by Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) and Metcash Limited (ASX: MTS) are also likely to benefit.

If you are wondering why the share prices of property developers like Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP) seem to be in the doldrums today, it’s probably because new housing estate developments only make up a part of their portfolio.

Unfortunately for them, the other parts (such as shopping malls) are still under significant pressure.

More reading

• These 5 ASX 200 shares were last week’s biggest winners
• 3 leading ASX 200 shares to buy for market-beating returns
• Top brokers are urging you to buy these ASX shares today
• Leading brokers name 3 ASX 200 shares to buy right now
• The latest ASX 200 stocks to be upgraded by top brokers

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.

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