• Down 87% in a year, Lake Resources share price resilient following severe cuts to survive

    Dollar signs floating in the sea.

    The Lake Resources (ASX: LKE) share price is outpacing the benchmark today. 

    Shares in the embattled All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) lithium stock closed on Friday trading for 4 cents. In morning trade on Monday, shares are changing hands for, well, 4 cents apiece, leaving them flat at time of writing.

    That’s a good bit better than the 0.7% loss posted by the All Ords at this same time, however. 

    Here’s what’s happening.

    ASX lithium share finds support amid major cost cuts

    The Lake Resources share price is holding its own after the company released a strategic operational update on its flagship Kachi lithium project, located in Argentina.

    The ASX lithium miner reported that its Goldman Sachs-led partnering process for Kachi is continuing. Management said they have progressed from reviewing a broad range of potential partners to participating in detailed discussions with a select group of interested parties.

    Investors are supporting the Lake Resources share price after the miner acknowledged that the partnership process, intended to maximise Kachi’s value, will take longer than initially expected in light of the current market conditions.

    Commenting on the partnership process, Lake Resources CEO David Dickson said, “We continue to engage with interested parties as part of the strategic partnering process for Kachi.”

    Dickson added:

    We, along with industry analysts across the sector, see a structural deficit of battery-grade lithium in the next five years. Because of that, we are taking all necessary actions to secure our financial flexibility, ensuring we maximise value for our shareholders from the Goldman led strategic process.

    The ASX lithium miner said that in order to support the value of its strategic partnering process to secure equity investment and offtake agreements, the non-binding conditional framework agreements entered into in late 2022 with WMC Energy and SK On Co are not being progressed.

    The company also reported it is managing an ongoing process to potentially sell some of its non-core assets and lithium tenements.

    Commenting on the asset sales that could help support the Lake Resources share price, Dickson noted:

    These assets, while non-core to Lake’s strategy, are strategically located within the Lithium Triangle and offer exploration and development potential in close proximity to other known lithium resources.

    In order to focus our efforts on making Kachi a success, we believe the timing is right for marketing the sale of these assets, which is part of our plan to optimise the Company’s financial runway.

    This supports the work we have done over the past 18 months and the successful completion of the Definitive Feasibility Study showing that Kachi is a globally significant, tier-one project.

    And on the cost-cutting front, the miner said it will reduce its global workforce by more than 50%.

    As at 31 March, Lake Resources had a cash balance of $31 million.

    Lake Resources share price snapshot

    It’s been a tough year for the Lake Resources share price, down 87% over the past 12 months.

    The post Down 87% in a year, Lake Resources share price resilient following severe cuts to survive appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Lake Resources N.l. right now?

    Before you buy Lake Resources N.l. shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Lake Resources N.l. wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • These were the five best ASX bank shares to own in FY24

    The Australian share market was on form in FY 2024. During the 12 months, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) delivered a return of 7.8% before dividends.

    A key driver of these gains was the banking sector, which delivered market-beating returns over the period. This was driven by investors piling into this side of the market in response to better than expected performances and an improving outlook.

    But which ASX bank shares were the best to own in the last financial year? Let’s find out.

    Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN)

    The Bendigo and Adelaide Bank share price was up 38% in FY 2024. This was despite a reasonably average performance from the regional bank during the 12 months. For example, in February, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank reported a 5% decline in cash earnings after tax to $268.2 million. However, the ASX bank share was arguably oversold a year ago and had a long way to bounce back as conditions in the banking sector improved

    National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)

    The NAB share price wasn’t far behind with a gain of 37% during the year. Investors appear to have been buying the banking giant’s shares after rate hikes failed to cause a spike in bad debts. And while the bank’s financial performance wasn’t great on paper, it is performing in line with expectations during the current financial year. Together with its strong balance sheet, this allowed the ASX bank share to announce a new $1.5 billion share buyback.

    Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)

    The Westpac share price had a strong year and rose 27.6% over the period. Once again, Westpac posted a half-year result that was largely in line with expectations. And like NAB, the bank decided its balance sheet was strong enough to allow another $1 billion on-market share buyback. An added bonus for shareholders was the special dividend that was announced with its half-year results.

    Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

    The CBA share price was just behind with a gain of 27% during the financial year. Investors were bidding Australia’s largest bank to record highs as banking sector optimism reached fever pitch. Interestingly, this was despite almost every major broker declaring the bank’s shares as overvalued 12 months ago.

    ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ)

    The ANZ share price was the next best performer with a 19.1% gain over the period. It was a busy period for the ASX bank share and its shareholders. ANZ delivered a solid half year result in May, announced another $2 billion share buyback, and made major progress with its proposed takeover of the banking operations of Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN). In fact, at the close of the financial year, the transaction was all but complete.

    The post These were the five best ASX bank shares to own in FY24 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Australia And New Zealand Banking Group right now?

    Before you buy Australia And New Zealand Banking Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Australia And New Zealand Banking Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Westpac Banking Corporation. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Are Qantas or ANZ shares a better buy?

    A smiling boy holds a toy plane aloft while a girl watches on from a car near an airport runway.

    ASX blue-chip shares can be very appealing investments when bought at a good price. Both Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) offer intriguing potential.

    There is merit to owning some of the biggest S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares if they deliver outperformance. If a blue chip can’t beat the wider ASX share market, then an investor may as well go with an index fund such as the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS).

    Many investors are attracted to ASX bank shares because of their large dividend yields. But, I think there’s more to an investment than just passive income, though that can certainly contribute to total shareholder returns.

    We can compare Qantas and ANZ shares in a few areas. Let’s explore.

    How much competition?

    The amount of competition in an industry can affect how much profit a business can make.

    If it’s easy for a new entrant to come in and compete on price, then margins may be regularly challenged.

    Over the last five years, banks have operated in a more competitive environment. Digital banking has enabled the smaller players to challenge the major ASX bank shares, such as ANZ and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB). These days, you don’t need a national branch network to provide borrowers with a service.

    To demonstrate how much competition there is, here are some of the listed lenders outside the big four: Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ), Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN), AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP), Pepper Money Ltd (ASX: PPM), MyState Ltd (ASX: MYS) and currently Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN).

    In the ANZ FY24 half-year result, the bank’s CEO Shayne Elliott said retail banking was “more competitive than ever”. Elliott added that the domestic environment was “expected to remain challenging across the remainder of the year”.

    Qantas is well-known as Australia’s national airline. It does not have much competition, with Virgin and Regional Express Holdings Ltd (ASX: REX) being the only domestic competitors it needs to worry about. There are not that many competitors for international flights into and out of Australia, either, which I think is helpful for Qantas shares.

    Less competition for Qantas means the airline can achieve satisfactory airfare prices.

    Earnings direction

    If a company grows earnings, then its share price is more likely to rise, in my opinion. I think it’s one of the most important factors of successful investing.

    ANZ’s CEO said the Australian and New Zealand economies were “likely to remain subdued”, though the bank was well-positioned given its diversity of businesses, prudent management, and strong customer base.

    The broker UBS thinks ANZ’s profit will fall from $7.4 billion in FY23 to $7 billion in FY24. However, its FY25 profit is expected to recover to $7.3 billion, though that would still represent a reduction from FY23’s profit figure. Time will tell if the acquisition of Suncorp Group Ltd‘s (ASX: SUN) banking operations can help improve its scale and margins.

    The banking sector is seeing rising arrears, so that will be something to watch over the next year for ANZ shares.

    Qantas is recovering from the impacts of COVID-19 and is now making large profits again, though airfares are not quite as high as they were recently. Broker UBS suggests Qantas’ net profit could drop from $1.7 billion in FY23 to $1.49 billion in FY24 and then decline to $1.44 billion in FY25.

    However, Qantas did recently reaffirm how it aims to grow the underlying earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of its loyalty division from a range of $500 million and $525 million in FY24 to between $800 million to $1 billion for 2030

    So, it appears neither business is expected to generate profit in FY25.

    What about valuation?

    Based on UBS estimates, the Qantas share price is valued at 6x FY24’s estimated earnings and 6x FY25’s estimated earnings.

    Looking at the forecasts from UBS for ANZ shares, the bank is valued at 12x FY24’s estimated earnings and under 12x FY25’s estimated earnings. The ANZ dividend could certainly help with shareholder returns, though Qantas is expected to start paying a dividend, too.

    Qantas is clearly on a cheaper earnings multiple. If no major negatives come up for the airline, I think it could deliver a stronger return over the next two or three years.

    I’d also choose the airline for the longer term because of the lower amount of competition, the improving fuel economy of planes, and the growing Qantas Loyalty business.

    The post Are Qantas or ANZ shares a better buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Australia And New Zealand Banking Group right now?

    Before you buy Australia And New Zealand Banking Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Australia And New Zealand Banking Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Guess which ASX 200 share is pushing higher on $480m asset sale

    Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC) shares are starting the week positively.

    In morning trade, the ASX 200 share is up 1.5% to $5.49.

    Why is this ASX 200 share pushing higher today?

    Investors have been buying Lendlease shares after it entered into an asset sale agreement with Omaha Beach Investment, an entity managed by Guggenheim Partners Investment Management.

    According to the release, the agreement is for the sale of its US Military Housing business for A$480 million (US$320 million).

    Management notes that the sale represents a significant premium to book value and includes the operating platform of the business along with the associated management rights for asset, property, development and construction management. Approximately 150 employees will transfer with the sale.

    ASX 200 share points out that the transaction builds on the significant progress made as it executes on its strategy announced in May. This involves re-focusing on its Australian operations and international investment management capabilities, while recycling more than $4.5 billion of capital.

    The company expects the transaction to result in FY 2025 operating profit after tax (OPAT) of $105 million to $120 million, with financial close and receipt of cash proceeds targeted by the end of the first half. Though, the transaction is subject to completion adjustments and conditions precedent. This includes third-party consents from particular service branches of the U.S. Department of Defense.

    ‘Significant progress’

    The ASX 200 share’s CEO, Tony Lombardo, was happy with the news. He highlights the strong progress the company is making recycling capital. He commented:

    With $1.9 billion of transactions already announced, including the sale of US Military Housing, we have made significant progress towards our target of recycling $2.8 billion of capital in the next 12 months. As this transaction demonstrates, we continue to take a disciplined approach to capital recycling, achieving premiums to book value, as we balance speed of execution with achieving value for our securityholders.

    Implementation of our strategy is progressing well, with cost savings being realised across the regions as we today move to a simplified management structure. We are also working to complete the sales of our Life Sciences joint venture and our Communities projects. The announced exit from international Construction is well progressed, with the sale of our US East Coast operations anticipated to close in the coming months. Preparations have also commenced to sell our UK construction business within the next 18 months.

    Life Sciences delays

    One piece of news that could be holding back the ASX 200 share a touch is that completion of the sale of its Life Sciences interests into a new Asia Pacific Joint Venture is now expected to complete in the first half of FY 2025.

    As a result, Lendlease now anticipates FY 2024 OPAT to be $260 million to 275 million. And FY 2024 Group gearing is now anticipated to be at the upper end of the 10% 20% target range, before the anticipated provision for impairments and charges.

    This compares to previous guidance of “approximately $450m of OPAT” and group gearing “to be modestly above the midpoint of the 10-20% target range.”

    The post Guess which ASX 200 share is pushing higher on $480m asset sale appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Lendlease Group right now?

    Before you buy Lendlease Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Lendlease Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • I’m an American who went to college in Canada. I’m debt-free — and I have no plans to move back to the US.

    Woman wearing a winter coat holding a cup of take-out coffee with a pink building in the background
    Dalia Goldberg credits her decision to study in Montreal with helping her learn a foreign language and graduate debt-free.

    • Dalia Goldberg chose to leave the US in 2010 to earn her BA at McGill University in Canada.
    • During her four years in college, she experienced some culture shock and learned a new language.
    • After graduating, she continued living abroad, is now happily settled in Spain, and has no debt. 

    It was 2009, my senior year of high school and I felt clueless.

    I'd never fit in particularly well at school. I enjoyed learning when I was younger, but toned down my enthusiasm when it became clear that having too many nerdy interests was "uncool." So by the time some of my peers were eagerly filling out college applications and even discussing what they might choose as a major, I was still dragging my feet.

    I didn't feel particularly excited about the future. What was the big deal about college, anyway? I'd just be studying the same old subjects, preparing for some job I didn't really want. My parents took me on college visits, where we attended presentations that I listened to halfheartedly.

    Growing up in a Philadelphia suburb, the University of Miami caught my eye. I was enamored by the lush green campus filled with flowers and fountains, just a half-hour drive from South Beach. The distance from my hometown was an added bonus. But with a whopping cost of attendance of over $50,000 per year at the time (including fees, room, and board), I'd definitely have to take out student loans.

    Similarly, NYU offered the excitement of living in a big city, but the tuition fees nearing $60,000 per year were daunting.

    I began filling out applications to state schools, a more affordable option. But I couldn't quite give up my dream of moving further away and having an adventure.

    I started looking into colleges outside the US

    I wanted to meet new people, explore new places, and get a fresh start. Maybe if I could get away from memories of middle-school bullies and awkward encounters with boys, I could finally start to enjoy studying again.

    My parents had bought me a big book of colleges, which I haphazardly flicked through while watching TV. Then, something caught my eye. Not all the colleges in the book were American; some were overseas, and those were cheaper, a lot cheaper.

    "Can I visit Trinity College Dublin?" I asked my parents. But they weren't fans of this idea. Europe was far away, and going back and forth would be expensive. Would European degrees be valid in the US? There were too many variables.

    So I proposed a closer option: McGill University in Montreal. It was well-known in the US and just a 1.5 hour flight from Philadelphia. You could even take the train. The costs were significantly cheaper than my other favorites: around $25,000 for the year, including room and board.

    Deciding on Montreal came with challenges

    During my first visit to Montreal, I knew it was the place for me. I loved the narrow streets of the Old City, the plazas, the bars, and the restaurants. I also found the school appealing. I felt that this was a place where I'd be free to do things my way. I liked the independent approach to student life, with most students moving off-campus after their first year.

    When I went back to my high school, I pushed harder on my academic efforts than before. I studied hard in my French class, got a few letters of recommendation, and took the ACTs and SAT subject tests. Finally, I got the score I needed for admission.

    Leading up to graduation, I started to have cold feet. I'd be leaving all the friends I'd made in the last few years and starting completely from scratch. Did I really want to do this? Some friends thought it was cool that I was moving to Canada, but others found it odd. Even when I explained the lower costs, it sounded too far away to them.

    Three college students on a couch looking at photos on a camera
    At first, the author (right) thought it would be hard to find her place at McGill but ended up making a lot of close friends.

    When I got to Montreal, I didn't feel comfortable right away. Like any college freshman, I was somewhat anxious about being away from home for the first time, but there was also the added element of culture shock.

    I'd become friends with a French exchange student at my high school and spent some time in France, but I soon found the language and expressions used in Quebec were a lot different. I also didn't know much about Canadian culture — the slang, the history, the education system, and the way of viewing the world.

    At first, as I met groups of students who all knew each other from high school, I felt like it would be hard to find my place at McGill. Still, after a while, I found a good group of friends, got involved in city activities, and began feeling at home.

    Starting my career abroad

    After receiving my diploma four years later, I knew I wanted to stay abroad.

    I applied for a post-graduate work permit that allowed me to stay in Canada, and found a job at a marketing agency where I had to speak French every day. At first, I felt intimidated. I didn't get some of the jokes and cultural references made around the office, so socializing was hard. Still, over time I began to feel more comfortable working in a second language.

    After a few years, I decided to move to Berlin with my partner at the time. It was hard to find work, learn German, and navigate the immigration system, but I drew on my previous experiences to help and found a remote job teaching English online. We continued moving around Europe until I settled in Spain in 2018, where I started a career as a freelance content writer and journalist.

    Moving abroad for my degree gave me the courage to pursue my own path. As I learned to figure out confusing visa situations, new cultures, and foreign language environments, I became more resilient and motivated in my career.

    Not having a student loan to pay off was an added bonus.

    Got a personal essay about choosing to attend college outside the US that you want to share? Get in touch with the editor: akarplus@businessinsider.com.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • I’ve worked at Meta, Visa, and Google. There are 6 steps I always take when preparing for a big interview.

    Yung-Yu Lin
    Yung-Yu Lin says mock interviews and reading company news are crucial to his interview prep strategy.

    • Senior product manager Yung-Yu Lin shares six strategies for preparing for FAANG interviews.
    • Strategies include mock interviews, subscribing to company news, and contacting recruiters.
    • He also suggests people make notes and ask insightful questions at the end.

    This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Yung-Yu Lin, a senior product manager at Google in Sunnyvale, California. It has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider has verified his employment history.

    In my two-decade-long tech career, I have worked in Taiwan, where I am from, and spent the last eight years in the US.

    I was a software engineer at Yahoo in Taiwan, and moved to the US to pursue an MBA in 2014. Since graduation, I have worked at Meta, Visa, and PayPal and am currently a product manager at Google.

    Over the years, I have designed an interview preparation strategy that has worked for me.

    Here are six things I do leading up to a big technical interview:

    1. Mock interviews

    It doesn't matter who you are everyone gets nervous in interviews.

    The only thing you can do is practice and familiarize yourself with the interview process.

    This is why I am a big believer in mock interviews, which can be taken on several career-building sites such as IGotAnOffer, which is what I used when preparing for Google.

    I took four mock interviews, which were structured so that I was paired with another candidate attempting to get into Google. We took turns role-playing as an interviewer and a candidate. It was a helpful format because I not only got a second set of eyes on my performance, but also took notes on what my partner did well and what they didn't.

    2. Prepare for technical questions

    As a product manager, I did not have coding rounds like other tech roles such as software engineering or data science. However, I did have technical interview rounds focused on system design questions.

    Practice system design questions are available on several websites and there are books. I would go through them one to two weeks before the interview and try to answer them.

    I focused on preparing different examples for each use case.

    3. Drop the recruiter a message

    If I am able to clear the first round, I will proactively ask the recruiter what the second round looks like.

    I always try to view recruiters as partners in my application process, and tell myself that they have the most information about the role. I always ask them for any information they can share about my next interview and what a successful candidate for my role looks like based on their experience.

    4. Read my own notes

    In the last 24 hours before a big interview, I stop doing any mock interviews or looking at new technical questions to prevent feeling even more anxious.

    Instead, I keep a notebook where I jot down what went well and my weaknesses after each interview or question practice session. On the last day, I just go through those notes and try to sleep well.

    5. Subscribe to company news

    To have a good discussion, and to be able to ask informed questions at the end of my interview, I set up Google Search alerts for the company I am interviewing at.

    I take a look at whatever is happening in the past week and if there are any significant updates or news about the company. I would try to plan a few questions around these updates, and ask interviewers what it means for the company or industry.

    6. Prep questions to ask the interviewer

    One of the biggest reasons I landed my first job at Meta was that my manager was happy with the questions I asked. They told me: "When we interviewed you, you had a good understanding of the company, about the business model, about the team's responsibility."

    "You will need less time to boot up and to get on board," they said.

    Here are two questions I try to ask:

    1. What does a good team player look like?

      This shows you what their team dynamics looks like, and what you should pay attention to to be seen as a good colleague. And it gives your hiring manager confidence that you're interested in being part of a team.

    2. What is the most challenging project of their time at the company?

      This can give you signals that if you join, how big is the scale of the problems you will be working on. It can also give you insight into opportunities for growth and what domains you will be working with.

      Do you work in tech, finance, or consulting and have a story to share about your career journey? Get in touch with this reporter at shubhangigoel@insider.com

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • 2 high-yield ASX shares predicted to pay huge dividends in FY26

    A happy older couple relax in a hammock together as they think about enjoying life with a passive income stream.

    Receiving passive income from ASX shares can be very rewarding. How easy is it to watch the cash hit your bank account every year – no effort at all! Some businesses are known for growing their dividend payouts, while others can offer large dividend yields.

    When businesses are paying out a lot of their profit, they aren’t reinvesting significantly for long-term growth. So, don’t expect tons of capital growth from stocks with large dividend yields. However, dividend payments can be less volatile than share prices, which some investors may like.

    The two high-yield ASX shares below are expected to grow their dividend payouts in FY25 and FY26. However, a tough retail environment could mean FY24 (which has just finished) results could see a dividend reset.

    Shaver Shop Group Ltd (ASX: SSG)

    This ASX retailer sells male and female grooming products and wants to be the market leader in ‘all things related to hair removal’. It has 123 stores across Australia and New Zealand and also sells products through its own websites and other online marketplaces.

    It aims to offer customers a wide range of quality brands at competitive prices, supported by “excellent staff product knowledge”. The company’s scale enables it to negotiate exclusive products with suppliers. For example, it recently secured exclusive rights to distribute and sell Skull Shaver’s full range of products across Australia and New Zealand.

    It also retails products across oral care, hair care, massage, air treatment and beauty categories.

    Impressively, the high-yield ASX shares grew their dividend every year between FY17 and FY23, so the company has a strong commitment to rewarding shareholders.

    According to the estimates on Market Screener, the business could pay a grossed-up dividend yield of 11.8% in FY25 and 12.2% in FY26.

    Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1)

    Accent is an ASX retail share that sells a wide variety of shoes. It acts as a distributor for a number of global shoe brands, including CAT, Dr Martens, Henleys, Herschel, Hoka, Kappa, Merrell, Skechers, Ugg and Vans.

    The business also has several of its own brands, including Trybe, The Athlete’s Foot, Stylerunner, Platypus, Glue Store, and Nude Lucy.

    Shoe retailing is not the most defensive industry in the world. Accent’s partnerships with global brands are not 100-year deals; they’re quite short-term. As such, Accent normally trades on a low price/earnings (P/E) ratio, but this can result in a big payout from the high-yield ASX share.

    After FY24, the business could see profitability recover as cost growth slows, the store rollout continues, digital sales grow, and more brands are potentially added to its portfolio.

    The estimate on Commsec suggests Accent could pay an annual dividend per share of 14 cents in FY25 and 16 cents per share in FY26, translating into forward grossed-up dividend yields of 10.3% and 11.8%, respectively.

    The post 2 high-yield ASX shares predicted to pay huge dividends in FY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Accent Group Limited right now?

    Before you buy Accent Group Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Accent Group Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Accent Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Accent Group and Shaver Shop Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Can Wesfarmers shares keep beating the ASX 200 index?

    a fashionable older woman walks side by side with a stylish younger woman in a street setting as they both smile at something they are talking about.

    If you own shares of Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), congratulations!

    Over the past year, the Wesfarmers share price has surged 32% to reach $65.18, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has grown 8% in the same period.

    This remarkable performance can be attributed to the strength of Wesfarmers’ renowned retail brands, such as Bunnings, Kmart, and Officeworks. After all, who doesn’t enjoy visiting these stores on the weekends?

    Beyond retail, Wesfarmers also maintains diverse business interests spanning chemicals, industrials, and healthcare providers.

    Given its strong portfolio and recent performance, the question remains: Can Wesfarmers shares continue to deliver superior returns going forward?

    What drives share price performance?

    The share price of a company can be understood by looking at two key factors: earnings per share (EPS) and the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio.

    EPS measures a company’s profit divided by the number of shares it has. The PE multiple shows how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of earnings. By multiplying the EPS by the PE multiple, we get the share price.

    For example, Wesfarmers’ FY25 EPS estimate of $2.48 and a PE multiple of 26 lead to its share price of $65.18, based on S&P Capital IQ. If the EPS rises to $3, the share price will increase to $78, assuming the PE multiple stays the same.

    Thus, share prices change based on both the company’s earnings and investor sentiment.

    Earnings growth expectations

    Wesfarmers’ EPS estimates over the next three years appear to assume the company will soon resume a double-digit profit growth. Using S&P Capital IQ estimates, EPS estimates for Wesfarmers are:

    • $2.25 in FY24, implying a 3.4% growth over the previous year
    • $2.48 in FY25, implying a 10.3% growth over the previous year
    • $2.76 in FY26, implying a 11% growth over the previous year

    As we reviewed previously, Wesfarmers’ business results this year have been mixed. The company’s strong retail businesses continue to perform well, but hopes for its upcoming lithium mining venture have lost shine due to weak global commodity prices.

    Looking ahead, the company remains confident about its retail business and, as my colleague Tristan highlighted, it expects lithium hydroxide production to commence in the first half of the 2025 calendar year.

    PE multiples are high

    Wesfarmers shares are currently trading at 26x FY25 earnings estimates. Historically, their PE multiples have ranged from 15x to 32x, making the current valuation relatively high.

    Comparing Wesfarmers to its peers, based on earnings estimates provided by S&P Capital IQ:

    • Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares are valued at 23x FY25’s estimated earnings.
    • Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) shares are valued at 20x FY25’s estimated earnings.

    Given this context, it seems unlikely that Wesfarmers’ PE multiple will increase significantly from its current level.

    Can Wesfarmers shares outperform the ASX 200?

    Over the last 10 years, the ASX 200 Index generated a total return of 7.6%, including a dividend yield of 4.7%.

    As discussed, Wesfarmers shares have the potential to outperform the index if the company achieves the expected 10% EPS growth while maintaining a 26x PE multiple. However, the success of this largely depends on the progress of its lithium projects and the direction of global commodity prices in particular.

    Despite this uncertainty, Wesfarmers remains one of the top dividend payers on the ASX, currently offering a fully franked dividend yield of 3%. While it’s challenging to predict when lithium prices will rise, Wesfarmers shares can be a valuable addition for dividend-focused investors.

    The post Can Wesfarmers shares keep beating the ASX 200 index? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Coles Group Limited right now?

    Before you buy Coles Group Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Coles Group Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Kate Lee has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Coles Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • What this expert predicts will be the best-performing ASX sectors in FY25

    A man in a business suit peers through binoculars as two businesswomen stand beside him looking straight ahead at the camera.

    The ASX share market saw plenty of volatility over the last 12 months, and FY25 could be another very interesting year. One expert has revealed which ASX sectors he sees as opportunities.

    Ausbil’s chief investment officer (CIO), Paul Xiradis, has been investing for around 45 years. Xiradis thinks the market underestimates the strength of the Australian economy and how strong business profits may be in FY25, according to an Australian Financial Review report.

    The fund manager suggests earnings by ASX companies could increase by 5%, almost double what investment bank brokers are forecasting.

    Which ASX sectors could perform in FY25?

    Xiradis had this to say about how FY25 may pan out for the ASX share market:

    Looking into FY25, there are a number of sectors which are going to grow far greater than the 5 per cent we forecast [for the market], like healthcare, technology, and we even expect the banks to do a little better than markets project.

    We also see the drivers of decarbonisation still contributing, and we think AI will be with us for many years to come and so we see more upgrades coming through even though valuations have shifted up.

    While Ausbil has less of an allocation to the ASX bank share sector than the benchmark, the fund manager thinks bank margins will do better than expected when the market realises interest rates may need to remain higher for longer.

    Xiradis commented on the banks:

    We just don’t think there’s going to be a downshift in earnings. So we expect the banks to deliver a better outcome than markets expect, not by much, perhaps a few per cent, but it could be greater if it all falls in their favour

    Ausbil is optimistic about AI, data centres, ‘smart’ warehouses and logistics, so it has stakes in Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT) and Goodman Group (ASX: GMG).

    Mining and energy

    The fund manager is also optimistic about the business case for beneficiaries of decarbonisation, such as companies that could benefit from growing demand for copper. Xiradis suggested the market will need to lift its expectations of how high copper prices could go because of the lack of new supply.

    Ausbil is ‘overweight’ on BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) even though iron ore prices have fallen. BHP has compelling exposure to copper and metallurgical coal, while Rio Tinto has appealing aluminium assets, according to the fund manager.

    Xiradis is bullish on AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL) and Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG), suggesting the energy sector has “significant potential” due to higher energy prices, high government support and a strong demand outlook.

    The post What this expert predicts will be the best-performing ASX sectors in FY25 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Agl Energy Limited right now?

    Before you buy Agl Energy Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Agl Energy Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 3 best ASX tech shares of FY24

    three businessmen high five each other outside an office building with graphic images of graphs and metrics superimposed on the shot.

    Some ASX tech shares delivered huge returns in FY24, with triple-digit percentage gains. Given that the All Ordinaries (ASX: XAO) climbed by 8.3% during FY24, these All Ords tech stocks did remarkably well.

    Some industries have advantages when it comes to growth, and tech may be the most advantaged of all. Many companies within the sector offer software that can achieve strong profit margins because of the software’s intangible nature. They also may be able to deliver strong revenue growth because software can be instantly replicated, whereas physical goods require manufacturing, shipping, and storage.  

    Below are three of the best-performing ASX tech shares in FY24 within the All Ords. As always, remember that past performance is not a guarantee of future performance.

    Gentrack Group Ltd (ASX: GTK)

    Over the 12 months to 30 June 2024, Gentrack shares rose by 140%. It’s important to note Gentrack’s 2024 financial year finishes on 30 September 2024, there are still a few months to go.

    Gentrack provides software to energy and water utility companies, as well as airports.

    The company is benefiting from a return passenger volume to airports, with the airports spending on projects and improvements. Gentrack is also winning customers and seeing customers upgrade.

    In the recent FY24 first-half result, Gentrack reported revenue growth of 21% to $102 million and also upgraded its guidance. For FY24, it previously expected revenue of at least $170 million, and now its guidance is around $200 million of revenue for the current financial year.

    The company also upgraded its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) guidance range to between $23.5 million and $26.5 million, up from the previous range of between $20.5 million and $25.5 million.

    DUG Technology Ltd (ASX: DUG)

    In the 12 months to 30 June 2024, DUG Technology shares rose by 136%.

    This company specialises in “analytical software development, big-data services and reliable, green, high-performance computing (HPC)”.

    The market usually pays the most attention to a company’s most recent update. For the FY24 third quarter, the ASX tech share’s total revenue grew 39% year over year to US$17.6 million, and EBITDA rose 24% to US$4.6 million.

    DUG Technology also reported US$14.6 million of new service projects were awarded in the three months to 31 March 2024, taking the total services order book at 31 March 2024 to US$43.1 million, an increase of 6% compared to 31 December 2023.

    In addition, the company revealed plans to start a new business unit in the Middle East after unearthing a “great deal of opportunity” in Abu Dhabi.

    Bravura Solutions Ltd (ASX: BVS)

    The Bravura Solutions share price has soared 130% in the 12 months to 30 June 2024.

    Bravura describes itself as a leading provider of software solutions for the wealth management, life insurance and funds administration industries.

    The ASX tech share reported growth and a recovery in the FY24 first-half result, which showed revenue increased 7.4% to $127 million. EBITDA grew 11.5% to $7.9 million and cash EBITDA returned to profitability with $0.3 million of positive cash EBITDA generation. Adjusted net profit after tax (NPAT) rose $12.6 million to a loss of $1.7 million.

    Bravura is forecasting that FY24 revenue to be around the same as FY23, while its transformation plan is now expected to deliver $40 million in gross cost-out savings.

    The post 3 best ASX tech shares of FY24 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Bravura Solutions Limited right now?

    Before you buy Bravura Solutions Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Bravura Solutions Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Bravura Solutions, Dug Technology, and Gentrack Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Gentrack Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Dug Technology. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.