• Lynas shares outperform on ‘exciting development’

    Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) shares are outperforming the market on Thursday morning.

    At the time of writing, the rare earths stock is up a fraction to $6.00.

    However, this compares very favourably to a 1.5% decline by the ASX 200 index.

    Why are Lynas shares outperforming?

    Investors have been buying the company’s shares today following the release of an announcement.

    According to the release, the Lynas Malaysia business is targeting the first production of two separated heavy rare earths (HRE) products in 2025.

    It notes that a new process will produce separated dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb) at Lynas Malaysia for the first time and will complement Lynas’ existing light rare earths product range.

    This could be a big deal for the company. Management points out that Dy and Tb are both essential to the high-performance rare earth permanent magnets used in electric vehicles and high-tech applications such as micro-capacitors which are essential to all electronic devices.

    Currently, Dy, Tb and other HRE oxides from the Mt Weld ore body are sold as a mixed HRE compound known as SEGH.

    How is this possible?

    Lynas revealed that the reconfiguration of one of Lynas Malaysia’s solvent extraction circuits will facilitate the production of Dy and Tb.

    The new circuit is designed with capacity to separate up to 1,500 tonnes of SEGH per year.

    It notes that front end engineering design (FEED) has been completed and the detailed engineering design is underway. Its commissioning and ramp up is expected in mid-2025.

    It will come at a cost of $25 million. However, the capital expenditure for this project will be accommodated within the previously disclosed Lynas Malaysia Industrial Plan.

    Lynas also confirmed that it continues to progress pre-construction activities for its planned U.S. Rare Earths Processing Facility. Both Lynas Malaysia and the planned U.S. Rare Earths Processing Facility have been designed to accept third party feedstocks as they come online.

    ‘An exciting development’

    Lynas’ CEO and managing director, Amanda Lacaze, was pleased with the development. She said:

     Lynas’ Mt Weld deposit is remarkable for its endowment of Heavy Rare Earth minerals as well as Light Rare Earth Minerals. This circuit reconfiguration at Lynas Malaysia provides a pathway to accelerate our commitment to processing all of the elements in the Mt Weld ore body.

    Dy and Tb are important inputs to high performance magnets and electronic devices and we are pleased to enhance our product range to meet current and prospective customers’ needs. The initial separation of Heavy Rare Earths at our Malaysian Facility is an exciting development for our Company and the first step towards offering an expanded suite of Heavy Rare Earth products.

    Should you invest?

    Goldman Sachs thinks Lynas shares are undervalued at current levels.

    The broker currently has a conviction buy rating and $7.40 price target on the rare earths share.

    The post Lynas shares outperform on ‘exciting development’ appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Lynas Rare Earths Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Lynas Rare Earths Ltd 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 Lynas Rare Earths Ltd 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 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.

  • Is the FY25 outlook compelling for the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (VAS)?

    ETF spelt out with a piggybank.

    The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) has seen a strong performance over the past year, with a rise of close to 10% for the VAS ETF unit price, as shown on the chart below, plus distributions. The outlook is uncertain for the Australian economy, which could affect the ASX share market.

    The returns of an exchange-traded fund (ETF) are heavily dictated by the performance of the underlying holdings. This ETF tracks the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO), being 300 of the biggest businesses in the ASX.

    ASX bank shares and ASX mining shares make up around half of the portfolio’s overall weighting, so their performance could significantly impact the VAS ETF.

    Difficult environment for iron ore miners

    Iron ore is by far the most important commodity for the ASX mining sector with BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG).

    The iron ore price has fallen to US$106 per tonne – it has been higher than this for most of the last 12 months.  

    According to Trading Economics, there is currently seasonally weak steel demand in China, as well as growing iron ore production in the country.

    Iron ore production by Chinese mining companies rose 13.4% year over year in the January to May period, while iron ore imports rose 7%. That was despite steel production falling 1.4% year over year. There has been ongoing weakness in the Chinese property sector, with weak sentiment in China’s housing market, according to Trading Economics.

    Trading Economics’ global macro models and analysts suggest the iron ore price could trade at US$126 per tonne in 12 months. If that rise happened, it could be a boost for the VAS ETF’s iron ore miners.

    Challenged economy

    The inflation of costs for businesses and households, as well as the high interest rates, seem to be having an effect on the economy.

    When Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) announced its quarterly update for the three months to 31 March 2024, CEO Matt Comyn said:

    The fundamentals of the Australian economy remain sound. Unemployment remains low, supported by business and government investment and elevated terms of trade. We recognise that all households are feeling the impact of higher inflation and higher rates, however immigration is providing a structural tailwind for the economy.

    Arrears at CBA, the biggest bank in Australia, are noticeably rising. At March 2023, the percentage of loans that were overdue by at least 90 days were 0.44% and this had increased to 0.61% at March 2024.

    Australian inflation increased, and was stronger than expected, in May. This is likely to mean interest rates remain higher for longer and could even result in another rate hike this year.

    Banking competition remains strong, which could put a lid on the net interest margin (NIM) for CBA, National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC).

    The high interest rate is likely also limiting household spending for the VAS ETF’s retail shares compared to COVID-19 boom times.

    Foolish takeaway

    The ASX share market has rallied materially in the past year. Hence, it may require exceptionally positive news for the market to have a strong rise in FY25, in my opinion.

    There are headwinds for each of the main sectors. However, the share market has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to rise above a wall of worry. If businesses can keep growing profit over the longer term, then share prices can rise too. We can’t know for sure what’s going to happen though.

    I’m still positive about the VAS ETF’s long-term performance, though I’d be surprised if FY25 is as positive as FY24.

    The post Is the FY25 outlook compelling for the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (VAS)? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Vanguard Australian Shares Index Etf right now?

    Before you buy Vanguard Australian Shares Index Etf 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 Vanguard Australian Shares Index Etf 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
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    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Fortescue. 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.

  • Here’s why brokers say these ASX growth shares are top buys

    A man in trendy clothing sits on a bench in a shopping mall looking at his phone with interest and a surprised look on his face.

    I’m a big fan of ASX growth shares and you will find a good number in my investment portfolio.

    The good news for me, and for others with a penchant for growth, is that there are plenty of options out there to choose from.

    For example, analysts currently have buy ratings and favourable price targets on the ASX growth shares listed below. Here’s what they are saying about them:

    Objective Corporation Ltd (ASX: OCL)

    Analysts at Morgans think that Objective Corp could be a top option for growth investors. It is a leading provider of content, collaboration and process management solutions for the public sector in Asia Pacific and Europe.

    Morgans has an add rating and $14.00 price target on its shares. This suggests that upside of approximately 19% is possible over the next 12 months.

    The broker likes the company due to its defensive customer base, strong recurring revenue, and low churn. It said:

    Because of this defensive customer base, the company has strong recurring revenue and low levels of churn. Global Public Sector software spend is anticipated to grow at a low double-digit rates over the near term as governments look to streamline workflow, improve security, and modernise legacy IT infrastructure. We see Objective as being a beneficiary of this trend. Objective has seen a strategic reset in its earnings in FY23 as it looks to prioritise subscription licencing revenue growth, streamline deployment of its solutions, and invest in product and sales support functions. Whilst this has recently weighed on the company’s share price, we believe Objective should be well positioned to see long-term revenue growth rates and margins return in FY24 and beyond.

    Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

    Goldman Sachs thinks that this wine giant could be an ASX growth share to buy. It currently has a buy rating and $15.20 price target on its shares, which implies potential upside of 22% for investors.

    The broker is forecasting double-digit earnings growth through to at least FY 2024 thanks partly to its Penfolds business and its return to China. So, with its shares trading on lower than normal multiples, it feels that now is the time to invest. Goldman explains:

    Our Buy rating on TWE is premised on accelerating double-digit EPS growth in FY24-27e driven by 1) continued global expansion of Penfolds, especially post the removal of China import tariffs on Australian wine; our recent channel checks suggest positive reception to the returning Australian sourced Penfolds and we expect a ~63pct pre-tariff recovery by 2027; and 2) its rank as the #1 luxury wine company in the US (most sales in luxury wine) with the recent acquisitions of Frank Family Vineyards (FFV) and DAOU which have been growth and margin accretive, combined with a stable portfolio of Premium Brands. TWE is trading modestly below the 5-year historical P/E average.

    The post Here’s why brokers say these ASX growth shares are top buys appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Objective Corporation Limited right now?

    Before you buy Objective Corporation 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 Objective Corporation 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

  • Are ASX 200 retail shares attractive amid the FY25 outlook?

    Friends spending the day in the shopping mall holding shopping bags.

    The economic environment for S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) retail shares is uncertain amid high cost of living, high interest rates and higher costs for retailers.

    The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is deliberately trying to take demand out of the economy with a high cash rate.

    However, collectively, households kept spending at stores during (the first half of) FY24. With the 2025 financial year almost upon us, it’s worth considering whether there are opportunities in the sector.

    The ASX 200 has many retailers within the index, including Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH), Harvey Norman Holdings Limited (ASX: HVN), Premier Investments Limited (ASX: PMV), Metcash Ltd (ASX: MTS), Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) and Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL).

    Strong inflation to keep rates higher for longer

    Australia’s CPI inflation measure accelerated in May at a rate that was more than expected. As reported by my colleague Bernd Struben, Australian inflation was forecast to have increased 3.8% on an annualised basis, up from 3.6% in April. It was actually a 4% increase in the 12 months to May 2024.

    What could this mean for the RBA’s interest rate though? According to reporting by the Australian Financial Review, VanEck head of investments, Russel Chesler, said rate cuts have been delayed, and it has increased the possibility of an increase:

    We weren’t expecting the RBA to cut rates until the second half of 2025, but the hotter-than-expected CPI print today indicates this could be even further away.

    Forget ‘higher for longer’ – we may end up being the ‘highest for the longest’.

    Interest rates remaining higher could mean some household spending remains restrained during FY25. This could be troubling for ASX 200 retail shares if it means lower earnings. Rising costs can also be a headwind for earnings if wages and rent keep rising at a painful rate.

    A couple of weeks ago, in the RBA’s latest interest rate decision announcement, the central bank said:

    Inflation is easing but has been doing so more slowly than previously expected and it remains high. The Board expects that it will be some time yet before inflation is sustainably in the target range. While recent data have been mixed, they have reinforced the need to remain vigilant to upside risks to inflation.

    The path of interest rates that will best ensure that inflation returns to target in a reasonable timeframe remains uncertain and the Board is not ruling anything in or out. The Board will rely upon the data and the evolving assessment of risks. In doing so, it will continue to pay close attention to developments in the global economy, trends in domestic demand, and the outlook for inflation and the labour market. The Board remains resolute in its determination to return inflation to target and will do what is necessary to achieve that outcome.

    ASX 200 retail shares are not fully exposed to Australian discretionary spending

    It’s important to note that the ASX 200 retail shares are among the biggest and strongest retailers in the country. They have the balance sheets to absorb difficult operating conditions, they have the scale to offer customers the best prices, and they have the marketing budgets to stay in front of customers.

    Discretionary spending may be challenging for some households in FY25, but there are plenty of mitigating factors as to why these stocks could still do well even if it falls.

    Coles, Woolworths and Metcash all sell food, which households need to keep buying. Indeed, they could see increased demand if people reduce eating out and Australia’s population keeps increasing.

    Premier Investments, Harvey Norman and Lovisa have global earnings with expanding store networks, so they’re reducing their exposure in percentage terms to the Australian consumer.

    JB Hi-Fi’s product demand may be more defensive than it used to be because it sells appliances and smartphones, which we all need in our homes.

    Wesfarmers’ Bunnings and Kmart businesses are reportedly capturing market share during this period as more customers look for value.

    FY25 could be a fascinating year for ASX 200 retail shares. Earnings could be more resilient than the bears expect, even if the share prices experience some volatility.

    The post Are ASX 200 retail shares attractive amid the FY25 outlook? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    See The 5 Stocks
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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Lovisa and Metcash. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Lovisa, Super Retail Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Coles Group, Harvey Norman, Super Retail Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Jb Hi-Fi, Lovisa, Metcash, and Premier Investments. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 3 super strong blue chip ASX 200 shares to buy in July

    If you are wanting to build a strong portfolio, then having a few blue chips in there could be a good starting point.

    But which blue chip ASX 200 shares could be buys in July?

    Let’s take a look at three high-quality options for investors to consider buying:

    Brambles Limited (ASX: BXB)

    Analysts at UBS think that Brambles could be an ASX 200 blue chip share to buy in July.

    Brambles is a supply chain solutions company that specialises in reusable pallets, crates, and containers for shared use.

    The broker was pleased with the company’s performance during the first half and appears confident that the second half will be positive. It continues to believe this could support a re-rating of its shares in the near future.

    UBS currently has a buy rating and $17.30 price target on Brambles’ shares. Based on its current share price of $14.45, this This implies potential upside of approximately 20% for investors over the next 12 months.

    Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

    Another blue chip ASX 200 share that could be a buy in July is Goodman Group. It is a leading integrated commercial and industrial property company.

    Goodman has been growing at a consistently solid rate over the last decade. This has been driven by the success of its strategy of developing high-quality industrial properties in strategic locations.

    The good news is that this strategy remains in place and Goodman has a huge development pipeline that is expected to drive further growth. This includes data centres that are in demand due to the artificial intelligence megatrend.

    Citi currently has a buy rating and $40.00 price target on its shares. This suggests potential upside of almost 15% for investors from current levels.

    Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW)

    Finally, analysts at Goldman Sachs think that Woolworths could be a blue chip ASX 200 share to buy in July.

    It is Australia’s largest supermarket operator. In addition, it owns Big W, Everyday Rewards, has a growing pet care business, and a collection of technology businesses such as Cartology and Quantium.

    Goldman Sachs is feeling positive about Woolworths due to its industry leadership and potential for market share gains. The latter is expected to be driven by its vast loyalty program and omni-channel advantage.

    The broker currently has a buy rating and $39.40 price target on its shares. Based on its current share price of $33.93, this suggests potential upside of 16% for investors over the next 12 months.

    The post 3 super strong blue chip ASX 200 shares to buy in July appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Brambles 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 Brambles 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

    Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. 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 positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group and 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.

  • Coles and these ASX dividend stocks could offer huge returns

    If you are looking to make some new additions to your income portfolio, then it could be worth looking at the four ASX dividend stocks listed below.

    They have all been named as buys and tipped to provide investors with attractive dividend yields and major upside. Here’s what you need to know about them:

    Aurizon Holdings Ltd (ASX: AZJ)

    Aurizon could be an ASX dividend stock to buy according to analysts at Ord Minnett. It is Australia’s largest rail freight operator. Each year it transports more than 250 million tonnes of Australian commodities.

    The broker currently has an accumulate rating and $4.70 price target on its shares. This implies potential upside of 29% for investors.

    As for dividends, the broker is forecasting partially franked dividends of 17.8 cents per share in FY 2024 and then 24.3 cents per share in FY 2025. Based on the latest Aurizon share price of $3.64, this will mean dividend yields of 4.9% and 6.7%, respectively.

    Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

    Over at Morgans, its analysts think that this supermarket giant would be a top ASX dividend stock to buy now.

    The broker has an add rating and $18.95 price target on its shares. This suggests that upside of 10% is possible from current levels.

    In respect to income, Morgans is forecasting Coles to pay fully franked dividends of 66 cents per share in FY 2024 and 69 cents per share in FY 2025. Based on the current Coles share price of $17.19, this implies yields of approximately 3.8% and 4%, respectively.

    GDI Property Group Ltd (ASX: GDI)

    Analysts at Bell Potter have named this property company as an ASX dividend stock to buy.

    The broker has a buy rating and 75 cents price target on its shares. This implies potential upside of 29% for investors.

    Bell Potter also believes GDI Property is well-positioned to offer some big dividend yields in the coming years. It is forecasting dividends per share of 5 cents in FY 2024, FY 2025, and FY 2026. Based on the current GDI Property share price of 58 cents, this equates to dividend yields of 8.6% each year.

    Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

    A final ASX dividend stock that analysts are bullish on is Woodside Energy. It is of course one of the world’s largest energy producers.

    Morgans thinks recently weakness has created a buying opportunity. It has an add rating and $36.00 price target on its shares. This suggests the upside of 27% is possible for investors.

    As for income, the broker is forecasting fully franked dividends of $1.25 per share in FY 2024 and then $1.57 per share in FY 2025. Based on its current share price of $28.31, this represents dividend yields of 4.4% and 5.55%, respectively.

    The post Coles and these ASX dividend stocks could offer huge returns appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Aurizon Holdings Limited right now?

    Before you buy Aurizon Holdings 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 Aurizon Holdings 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 James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy 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 positions in and has recommended Coles Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Aurizon. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Here’s when CBA and these ASX 200 bank stocks are paying their dividends

    Man holding a calculator with Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.

    It is a good time to be a shareholder of ASX 200 bank stocks.

    Not only have the big four banks been roaring higher recently, but some are about to reward their shareholders with their latest dividend payments.

    Let’s now look and see what is being paid and when.

    Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)

    Let’s start with Australia’s oldest bank, Westpac. It has already paid its shareholders its interim dividend for FY 2024. That was paid out a couple of days ago on 25 June.

    Westpac shareholders received a fully franked interim dividend of 90 cents per share, which was an increase of 25% on the prior corresponding period.

    The ASX 200 bank stock will declare (or not) its next dividend in November with its full year results. After which, it is usually paid out in December.

    ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ)

    ANZ Bank is scheduled to pay its partially franked interim dividend next week on Monday 1 July.

    When the big four bank released its half year results last month, it declared a 65% franked 83 cents per share dividend. Its next dividend is expected to be declared in November and then paid out to shareholders in December.

    Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

    This investment bank will also be paying a dividend next week. The ASX 200 bank stock is scheduled to pay its final dividend for FY 2024 on Tuesday 2 July.

    When Macquarie released its full year results last month, it declared a 40% franked final dividend of $3.85 per share. This was down 14.5% on the prior corresponding period.

    The bank is expected to release its half year results for FY 2025 and announce its interim dividend in November. Based on past dividends, that is likely to then be paid to eligible shareholders in mid to late December.

    National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)

    This big four bank is scheduled to pay its latest interim dividend the following day on Wednesday 3 July.

    Last month, the ASX 200 bank stock released its results and declared an 84 cents per share fully franked dividend.

    As with the others, NAB’s final dividend is traditionally declared in November and then paid out in December.

    Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

    Australia’s largest bank operates with a financial year that ends 30 June. As a result, it won’t be paying out a dividend next week.

    Traditionally, the bank will release its results and declare its dividends in both August and February, with dividend payments then made in March and September, respectively.

    The post Here’s when CBA and these ASX 200 bank stocks are paying their dividends 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 positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Sandy Hook victim’s brother is ‘shocked’ that a letter Trump once sent him turned up in a Mar-a-Lago evidence photo

    An evidence photo from the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case shows a letter Donald Trump sent JT Lewis, right, in 2018.
    An evidence photo from the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case shows a letter Donald Trump sent JT Lewis, right, in 2018.

    • JT Lewis, whose brother Jesse died at Sandy Hook, was "shocked" by a Mar-a-Lago evidence photo.
    • It showed that a box containing classified documents also held a letter Trump sent him in 2018.
    • "It was nice of him to keep the letter," Lewis said.

    In 2018, JT Lewis, whose little brother Jesse died in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, received a signed letter from Donald Trump. He keeps it in a frame above his living room couch, where he sees it every day.

    He was "shocked" this week when an image of the letter turned up in a widely publicized prosecution filing in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case.

    The image shows an unsigned draft of the letter he cherishes resting inside a box, on top of other presidential mementos, including newspaper articles and notes on White House stationary.

    It was one in a series of evidence photos that prosecutors with special counsel Jack Smith say shows Trump mingled presidential "keepsakes" with national secrets.

    This evidence photo from the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case shows a letter Donald Trump sent in 2018 to the older brother of a Sandy Hook shooting victim.
    This evidence photo from the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case shows a letter Donald Trump sent in 2018 to the older brother of a Sandy Hook shooting victim.

    "It was nice of him to keep the letter," Lewis said Wednesday.

    "It's word for word," what Trump sent him in June 2018, he said. "Except Jack Smith blacked out my name, and it's not signed," he added. "My copy is signed, of course."

    In the letter, Trump thanks Lewis for coming to the White House "for discussions regarding the safety of our schools."

    Trump's letter tells Lewis that the nation will forever remember the 2012 tragedy, in which 20 children and seven adults died, and it thanks Lewis for being "a meaningful example of the healing power of helping others" through his organization, Newtown Helps Rwanda.

    https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

    Lewis and his mother, Scarlett Lewis, were invited to the White House six years after the Sandy Hook shooting and soon after the Parkland, Florida, high school shooting to speak with Trump about his National School Safety Initiative.

    Both mother and son were by then school-safety activists, JT through the now-defunct Rwanda initiative and Scarlett through the still-active ChooseLoveMovement.com, which advocates for life-skills programs for kids to help prevent more shootings.

    "That's partially how he healed, by helping other people," Scarlett Lewis told Business Insider Wednesday of JT, who was 12 when his 6-year-old brother died.

    "To have a president acknowledge that, and write him a letter and sign it personally was very meaningful to JT," she said. "And then to see that it was something he kept was very, very moving," she said of Trump.

    "He was shocked to see Trump kept the letter."

    JT Lewis said Wednesday he remains a huge fan of Trump.

    "I was actually just with him two days ago in New Orleans at a fundraiser," he said.

    "We were able to catch up. I wish it had happened before that," he said of the letter resurfacing. "I would have talked about it with him."

    Jesse McCord Lewis died shortly after shouting "Run!" while directing classmates to safety, according to his obituary and multiple news accounts. June 30 would have been his 13th birthday.

    Rather than run himself, he stayed behind to help a "beloved teacher," Victoria Soto, as she lay dying, Scarlett Lewis told BI.

    "Jesse saved nine classmates, and a lot of the kids are in the news, graduating from high school and giving him credit for saving their lives," the mom said.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Shotguns emerge as a low-tech weapon to counter commercial drones in modern warfare

    A DJI Enterprise model drone that is used as an antenna to amplify the signal of FPV drones loaded with explosives
    A DJI Enterprise model drone that is used as an antenna to amplify the signal of FPV drones loaded with explosives is seen in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine.

    • Shotguns found a new niche role in modern warfare as low-tech, effective anti-drone weapons.
    • Commercial drones are becoming standard on the battlefield, particularly in the war in Ukraine.
    • Countries like France, Belgium, and the US are also looking to adopt shotguns to counter drones.

    The shotgun's role in warfare has had an interesting development. During the Revolutionary War, the famed buck-and-ball loadings proved to be remarkably efficient at ensuring the Red Coats stayed red. In the Civil War, the Confederacy often lacked rifles, and mounted troops with muzzle-loaded shotguns wreaked havoc on horseback. World War I made them trench guns and World War II jungle guns. The GWOT had them knocking down doors, and in 2024, shotguns found a new niche role.

    The rise of cheap, mass-produced, civilian, and even toy-grade drones has changed the battlefield. In many ways, drones are the new Improvised Explosive Devices. They are a new, extremely dangerous threat that doesn't comply with the tactics we'd been taught for the last two decades. The war in Ukraine has cemented commercial drones as potent weapons.

    Much like aircraft in World War I, commercial drones started life as reconnaissance assets, but it wasn't long until they were weaponized. Given the size and price of commercial drones, they are remarkably efficient and extremely deadly.

    Several high-tech counter-drone measures have been employed, and more are being developed. While these tools are few and unrefined, the humble shotgun has once more emerged as a potential anti-commercial drone option.

    The shotgun as a drone killer

    Girls examine a pump-action shotgun during shooting training for civilians outside the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.
    Girls examine a pump-action shotgun during shooting training for civilians outside the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

    Shotguns function differently than rifles or pistols. They are loaded with sealed shells that hold multiple projectiles inside them called "shot." Therefore, when a shotgun is fired, it fires multiple projectiles all at once. The spread of shot famously makes it easier to hit your target.

    One of the most common uses of shotguns is hitting flying targets, this could include birds and clay pigeons — but drones are also flying targets, so shotguns are their natural predators.

    The benefit of shotguns is that they are low-tech and easily available. Further, shotguns are fairly lightweight weapons and could be carried by a designated troop alongside a service rifle. Sure, it sucks to carry two guns, but it also sucks to get a grenade dropped on you from a tiny drone.

    The best shot option to take out drones would be birdshot, specifically, heavy birdshot made for shooting geese and similar large fowls. The pellets wouldn't even have to completely destroy the drone; instead, just a few pellets hitting the propellers or body could destabilize it enough to render it ineffective.

    When it comes to shotgun type, semi-auto would work best as they allow for quick follow-up shots in case of a miss. (Pump-action shotguns could also work: although they require the manual movement of a pump to chamber the next cartridge, they would still offer a fairly fast second shot.)

    A proven concept

    Soldiers fire at an unmanned aerial vehicle from a FREMM-class frigate.
    Soldiers fire at an unmanned aerial vehicle from a FREMM-class frigate.

    In 2022, the French Armed Forces chose the Benelli Supernova 12-gauge as their shotgun and adopted tactical models with 18- and 14-inch long barrels. However, they also adopted a 28-inch barreled model to serve as an anti-drone weapon, as the longer barrel offers a longer sight radius and better swing for dealing with flying threats.

    The Supernova also offers a 3.5-inch chamber, which allows for some hefty rounds with lots of shot dispersed. (The 3.5-inch rounds are popular with bird hunters because of all the shot they can hold.)

    The Supernova is an interesting choice but fairly standard compared to the Ukrainian option.

    Ukraine's armed forces purchased several thousand Turkish Hatsan shotguns in a bullpup configuration. This means the magazine and action are behind the trigger, making the weapon shorter, which is nice for armored troops. However, Turkish shotguns have a poor reputation for reliability, and I imagine the battlefield will beat them to hell.

    On the other hand, the Belgians adopted the Benelli M4, one of the world's best fighting shotguns, for anti-drone work. The United States is experimenting with both shotguns and electronic countermeasures against drones.

    The downside of shotguns

    Ukrainian servicemen scan the sky for Russian drones and aircraft
    Ukrainian servicemen scan the sky for Russian drones and aircraft at a position in the Donetsk region of Ukraine.

    Shotguns have a very limited range, and even with the best birdshot, we are looking at 50 yards at most. Yet, drones can fly higher than that. Specialized munitions could potentially resolve that, and they do exist in the form of various net devices. Still, those create a logistic-chain issue versus standard off-the-shelf options.

    Even with their limitations, shotguns prevent drones from getting too close. The closer a drone can get with a droppable munition, the more accurate it tends to be. Also, drone cameras don't always provide the clearest footage, which can force a drone to fly lower to spot targets.

    Shotguns won't be the ultimate, end-all option against commercial drones, but they are an infantry and armor organic weapon that could be easily used in this role.

    Commercial UAV warfare has carved another niche in which the shotgun can excel. No matter how warfare has changed since the 18th century, shotguns continue to serve on the battlefield.

    READ MORE FROM SANDBOXX NEWS

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Buy Telstra and these ASX dividend stocks in July

    A woman standing in a blue shirt smiles as she uses her mobile phone to text message someone

    There are plenty of quality ASX dividend shares to choose from on the Australian share market.

    But which ones could be great options for income investors?

    Three that have been tipped as buys are listed below. Here’s why they could be worth a look:

    APA Group (ASX: APA)

    APA Group could be an ASX dividend share to buy according to analysts at Macquarie. It is an energy infrastructure business that owns, manages, and operates a diverse portfolio of gas, electricity, solar and wind assets.

    The broker currently has an outperform rating and $9.40 price target on the company’s shares.

    As for dividends, the broker believes that APA Group is on course to increase its dividend for the 20th year in a row. It is forecasting dividends per share of 56 cents in FY 2024 and then 57.5 cents in FY 2025. Based on the current APA Group share price of $8.32, this equates to 6.7% and 6.9% dividend yields, respectively.

    Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)

    Over at Bell Potter, its analysts think that Rural Funds could be an ASX dividend share to buy right now. It is a property company that owns a portfolio of high-quality assets across a number of agricultural industries.

    These properties are predominantly leased to corporate agricultural operators on long-term agreements.

    Bell Potter currently has a buy rating and $2.40 price target on its shares.

    In respect to income, the broker is forecasting dividends per share of 11.7 cents in both FY 2024 and FY 2025. Based on the current Rural Funds share price of $2.04, this will mean dividend yields of 5.7% for investors.

    Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)

    A third ASX dividend share that could be a buy is Telstra.

    That’s the view of analysts at Goldman Sachs, which remain positive on the telco giant despite a recent underwhelming guidance update.

    The broker continues to believe that the “low risk earnings (and dividend) growth that Telstra is delivering across FY22-25, underpinned through its mobile business, is attractive.”

    But the positives don’t end there. Goldman highlights that the company “has a meaningful medium term opportunity to crystallise value through commencing the process to monetize its InfraCo Fixed assets.”

    Its analysts are forecasting fully franked dividends of 18 cents per share in FY 2024 and then 18.5 cents per share in FY 2025. Based on the current Telstra share price of $3.62, this equates to dividend yields of 5% and 5.1%, respectively.

    Goldman currently has a buy rating and $4.25 price target on Telstra’s shares.

    The post Buy Telstra and these ASX dividend stocks in July appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

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    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 positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group, Macquarie Group, Rural Funds Group, and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.