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  • Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

    Lion roaring in the wild, symbolising a rising Liontown share price.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a red day today, as investors pulled back on the record highs we saw for Australian shares during yesterday’s session.

    This Thursday saw the ASX 200 retreat by 0.27%, pulling the index down to 8,036.5 points at the closing bell.

    This lacklustre day of trading for ASX shares follows a mixed night on the American markets overnight.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: DJI) had a decent day, rising a solid 0.59%.

    But there was carnage on the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC), which cratered by a horrid 2.77%.

    Let’s return to the ASX share market and take stock of how the various ASX sectors handled the bad mood on the markets.

    Winners and losers

    There were definitely more losers than winners amongst the ASX sectors today.

    Starting with the losers, the worst place to be was in tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) followed the Nasdaq’s lead and tanked by a nasty 3.39%.

    Communications shares had a rough day too, although the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)’s 1.2% loss looked decent by comparison.

    Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were our next cab off the rank. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) ended up slumping 0.43%.

    Then we had energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) retreated 0.29% today.

    Mining shares performed similarly, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)’s 0.24% move downward.

    Financial stocks lost steam as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) saw 0.18% wiped from its value.

    Industrial shares were yet another sore spot, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) sliding 0.16%.

    That’s it for the losers though.

    Turning now to the winners, these were led by utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) saw a 0.35% improvement this Thursday.

    Also bucking the broader market were healthcare stocks, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)’s 0.28% rise.

    Gold shares had a stellar day as well. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) surged by 0.26%.

    Consumer staples stocks and consumer discretionary shares round out our winners list. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) gained 0.2%, while the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) inched up 0.03% this session.

    Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

    Today’s best index performer was miner Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR). Liontown shares enjoyed a big win, rising 3.66% to 99 cents each.

    Perhaps investors were buoyed by the news that one of Liontown’s directors just picked up a big parcel of shares.

    Here’s how the rest of today’s index winners landed the plane:

    ASX-listed company Share price Price change
    Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) $0.99 3.66%
    Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) $4.09 2.76%
    Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU) $2.98 2.76%
    Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN) $26.70 2.42%
    Amcor plc (ASX: AMC) $15.41 2.19%
    Orora Ltd (ASX: ORA) $2.04 2.00%
    Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) $9.81 1.98%
    NRW Holdings Ltd (ASX: NWH) $3.18 1.92%
    Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) $1.56 1.63%
    Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) $37.17 1.36%

    Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary to let you know which companies were making big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

    The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Amcor Plc right now?

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    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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 positions in and has recommended Amcor Plc. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Ansell, Goodman Group, and Orora. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • NASA is scrapping a moon rover that it spent $450 million to build

    NASA's VIPER – short for the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover – sitting assembled inside the agency's Johnson Space Center.
    NASA's VIPER – short for the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover – sitting assembled inside the agency's Johnson Space Center.

    NASA

    • NASA has canceled its VIPER moon rover project.
    • NASA will still send a spacecraft to the moon and pay a company $323 million for the trip.
    • VIPER was supposed to explore the south side of the moon in search of ice. 

    NASA is scrapping a moon rover it spent $450 million to construct, and axing the machine's mission to find water on the moon.

    The agency discontinued the development of VIPER — or Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover — because it proved exceedingly expensive.

    NASA's statement on Wednesday said that the rover was to be scrapped because of "cost increases, delays to the launch date, and the risks of future cost growth."

    It also said that continuing the rover project would result in an "increased cost that threatens cancellation or disruption" to other lunar research missions.

    The rover, a car-sized robot that was supposed to explore the south side of the moon in search of "ice and other potential resources," has already been built, The New York Times reported.

    However, tests to ensure that it could survive the shaking of the spacecraft and the environment of space have not yet been conducted.

    According to the Times, the agency would save at least $84 million by not conducting the testing and not having to operate the rover on the moon.

    VIPER's launch, which was scheduled for fall 2025, had already been delayed multiple times.

    It was initially set to launch in late 2023. However, that launch was delayed to 2024 to allow more time to test the privately commissioned spacecraft Griffin, which was supposed to carry the rover to the moon.

    Although the rover itself has been scrapped, the Griffin Lander will continue with its journey.

    And NASA will still pay the company that built the spacecraft — the Astrobotic Technology Inc. of Pittsburgh — $323 million for the task, per the Times.

    Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration in the science directorate, told The Times that Griffin's landing would still be valuable even without the rover on board.

    NASA maintains that it is "committed to studying and exploring the Moon for the benefit of humanity."

    "The agency has an array of missions planned to look for ice and other resources on the Moon over the next five years," Nicola Fox, an associate administrator in the agency's science mission directorate, said in a statement.

    The statement also added that any US industry and international companies that wish to use VIPER before it is disassembled could contact the agency after July 18.

    News of the rover's scrapping comes as two NASA astronauts remain stuck in space after issues were detected with the spacecraft they went up in — the Boeing Starliner.

    The duo — Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore — arrived at the International Space Station via the Boeing Starliner on June 6 after a series of delays that postponed the craft's launch by a month.

    While they were supposed to stay for only eight to 10 days, they have been stuck on the space station for over a month now, with no return date scheduled.

    Representatives for NASA did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Asia is preparing for a rogue US if Trump and Vance win the election, security and foreign policy experts say

    Former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance at the Republican National Convention.
    On Monday, former President Donald Trump named Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his vice presidential pick. Both Trump and Vance have been equally hawkish when it comes to dealing with China.

    Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

    • Donald Trump might have upended the veepstakes tradition when he picked JD Vance as his running mate.
    • Vance, who holds remarkably similar political views to Trump, isn't going to "balance the ticket."
    • But experts say Asia is already preparing for the MAGA pair to come to power.

    Former President Donald Trump upended the election tradition of "balancing the ticket" when he picked Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate. But the MAGA pair is unlikely to disrupt the calculus for an Asia that's already preparing for the possibility of his victory in November, experts say.

    Vance, a former Trump critic turned MAGA stalwart, has voiced foreign policy views in lockstep with Trump. Both men support wide tariffs on China and have criticized US aid to Ukraine.

    Yet three experts on the Asia-Pacific told Business Insider that regional leaders — having learned from Trump's shock win in 2016 and his subsequent unpredictability — are already laying the groundwork for a scenario where he wins.

    Asia won't be surprised by a Trump-Vance administration

    "It would be quite irresponsible if they didn't already countenance this, and I think, to be honest, we will not see the overreactions that we saw earlier or in parts of Europe," said Dylan Loh, assistant professor of public policy and international studies at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

    Trump previously reneged on deals he felt were disadvantageous to the US and pressured allies like Japan and South Korea to support US defense costs.

    But Loh believes regional stability will prevail.

    "I think Trump's tenure has shown that fears of abandonment or ignorance of politics in Asia are overblown," he said.

    The most prominent US-aligned governments in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines have been hedging their bets and working carefully to make their economies and supply chains more resilient, said Chong Ja Ian, a political science professor at the National University of Singapore.

    "Other Southeast Asian states seem to believe they can weather another Trump administration, perhaps by freezing on the efforts of the northeast Asian US allies and partners plus the Philippines," he said.

    It's not just economics. The Philippines, for example, inked a new defense pact with Japan in July as it grapples with the threat of an increasingly belligerent China in the South China Sea. This comes as the Philippines signs maritime agreements with key NATO countries like the UK and France.

    US-China relations won't change much, whether it's Trump or Biden at the wheel

    Even though Trump started the US-China trade war, experts say that China won't be too bothered if he returns to the White House.

    This, NTU's Loh said, is because President Joe Biden hasn't really deviated from Trump's hawkish stance against the Asian giant.

    For one, the Biden administration has kept most of Trump's China tariffs in place. In fact, Biden introduced some of his own when he announced a 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles in May.

    "For China, any preferences for either Trump or Biden is going to be marginal," Loh said.

    "I think it is quite clear that regardless of whether a Democrat or a Republican is in office, the general bipartisan mood of seeing China as a threat or a strategic competitor will not abate," he added.

    Kevin Chen, a research fellow at NTU's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, told BI that China may even prefer to have Trump back in power due to the turmoil he'll bring to the US' foreign ties.

    "Given how Mr Trump would likely alienate US allies and partners with his policies, Beijing may prefer that he retake the White House to give them more opportunities to spread their influence," Chen explained.

    That said, most Asia-Pacific countries will shy away from appearing to take sides or expressing relief if either candidate wins.

    "There's a joke in Japanese diplomatic circles that the outcome of a US presidential election is like opening a Christmas present, except that they must express that 'this is exactly what I wanted' regardless of the result," Chen said.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • 2 uniquely Australian reasons why ASX 200 bank shares are outperforming global peers

    Good news has these businesspeople cheering for joy, partying in a board room.

    ASX 200 bank shares are steamrolling the market in 2024. It seems like every day a new share price milestone is set by at least one of the Big Four banks.

    On Thursday, three of them did just that.

    In a new update, the portfolio managers of Blackwattle’s Large Cap Quality Fund, Ray David and Joe Koh, explain why our bank stocks are doing better than some of their global counterparts.

    But first, let’s get you up to speed on the latest skyrocketing share prices.

    3 of the Big 4 ASX 200 bank shares set new milestones today

    National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)

    The NAB share price hit a nine-year high of $38.08 today. The only news out of NAB is a daily update on its share buyback program. The update advises investors of the on-market purchase of 406,899 NAB shares yesterday as part of a buyback program that commenced in August 2023.

    NAB has now bought back almost 52.74 million shares. The buyback is due to end on 1 May 2025.

    Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)

    Westpac shares rose to a new 52-week high of $28.65 in intraday trading today. The ASX 200 bank share has not traded at this level since November 2019.

    Westpac also released a daily update on its own share buyback program today. The update advises investors of the on-market purchase of 265,730 Westpac shares yesterday. The ASX 200 bank has bought back 47.36 million shares since the buyback began in November. It is due to end in November this year.

    ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ)

    The ANZ share price hit a seven-year high today at $30.23 apiece. And once again, the only news out of this ASX 200 bank today was a daily update on its share buyback program.

    The update advises that ANZ bought 727,540 shares yesterday as part of its buyback program that commenced in May. The bank has bought back 4.61 million shares so far. The buyback will run through to May next year.

    Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

    Last Friday, Australia’s biggest bank overtook mining behemoth BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) to become the biggest ASX 200 company by market capitalisation.

    The enormous ASX 200 bank share simply keeps resetting its all-time price high. It happened again yesterday when CBA shares peaked at $134.25 apiece during intraday trading.

    There is no news out of CBA today.

    Why ASX 200 bank shares are doing better than global peers

    Ray David and Joe Koh from Blackwattle say our bank shares are outperforming the ASX 200 and doing better than some of their global counterparts for two uniquely Aussie reasons.

    They say the banks’ outperformance is being driven by optimism that bad debts will stay at cyclically low levels and also because of ongoing share buybacks.

    As we outlined above, three of the Big Four ASX 200 bank stocks are conducting buybacks now.

    In a newly published update, David and Koh said:

    This optimism contrasts with the experience of UK and Canadian banks, where investors have been more concerned about rising bad debt levels and soft economic conditions.

    While bad debt levels in Australia are minimal, savings rates have plummeted, and credit card debt is growing again. For bad debts to remain at cyclical lows, interest rate reductions will be needed, or earnings are likely to come under pressure.

    That said, skyrocketing Australian house prices continue to provide mortgage holders with a buffer and an ever-growing source of wealth, thanks to record migration and a housing undersupply.

    The managers use CBA shares as a case study in terms of outperformance compared to global peers. They said:

    For the year, Commonwealth Bank (CBA) delivered investors a 32% return compared to the ASX 200’s 12%. This outperformance was entirely driven by the PER valuation increasing from 17x to 22x.

    Compared to JP Morgan (JPM) at 12.8x PER or Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) at 9.0x PER, this makes CBA one of the most expensive banks in the world.

    The post 2 uniquely Australian reasons why ASX 200 bank shares are outperforming global peers 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 10 July 2024

    More reading

    JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Anz Group, BHP Group, and Commonwealth Bank Of Australia. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lloyds Banking Group Plc. 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.

  • Dave Bautista says he lost 50 pounds through Brazilian jiu-jitsu

    Former WWE wrestler Dave Bautista in a white Gucci suit and sunglasses.
    Dave Bautista says he lost 50 pounds from practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

    Dimitrios Kambouris

    • Dave Bautista credits Brazilian jiu-jitsu for helping him lose 50 pounds.
    • "We did nothing but grapple, like for hours," he said during an episode of "Live with Kelly and Mark."
    • The former WWE wrestler isn't the only celebrity who is a fan of jiu-jitsu — remember shredded Zuck? 

    Dave Bautista is crediting Brazilian jiu-jitsu for helping him lose weight.

    The former WWE wrestler spoke about his weight-loss journey on an episode of "Live with Kelly and Mark," which aired on Tuesday, July 16.

    "I put on all this weight for 'Knock at the Cabin.' I was really big, like over 300 pounds," Bautista told co-hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos.

    Bautista said he struggled to shed those pounds, so he brought his friend and trainer Jason Manly to Budapest, where he was filming "Dune."

    "We did nothing but grapple, like for hours. And so I started shedding the weight off, and I figured, 'I'll just stick with it so I'll get my brown belt,'" Bautista said.

    He ended up taking some time off his jiu-jitsu training but has since gotten back into it, he said.

    "I'm bringing trainers with me, so I just shed about 50 more pounds," Bautista said, adding that he lost quite a bit of muscle in the process.

    "I was trimming down, and I've sacrificed a lot of muscle. But I'm OK with it because I just feel more comfortable," he said.

    Even then, there were still spots that he "couldn't get rid of" no matter how much weight he lost, like around his midsection.

    "And even in my face, like, I was just holding on to fat," Bautista said. "When I was younger, I would just shed it like that. I could not get rid of it."

    The "Guardians of the Galaxy" actor has been practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu since 2010, according to his Instagram posts. He received his purple belt in 2014 and his brown belt in 2023.

    Bautista isn't the only celebrity who's a fan of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. 

    Mark Zuckerberg also got shredded after picking up the martial art. The tech mogul even won a couple of medals after competing at a tournament in California last May.

    The US Army also uses Brazilian jiu-jitsu to rehabilitate its soldiers, as it is a "minimally demanding activity" that helps them remain active and avoid self-destructive behaviors.

    A representative for Bautista did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI sent outside regular business hours.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • China’s Zara rival is expanding — and it’s setting its sights on London and NYC next

    Urban Revivo in Shanghai, China
    Urban Revivo plans to expand to US and UK markets amid sluggish Chinese consumer demand.

    Costfoto/Getty Images

    • Facing a weaker Chinese market, Urban Revivo plans on expanding to the West.
    • Urban Revivo's physical stores could help it break through to the US market, where it sells online.
    • Other fast-fashion peers have seen successes in the UK and US markets.

    A Chinese fast-fashion company is planning a quick global expansion, just as industry heavyweights slow their growth to focus on online shopping.

    Zara has been cutting its footprint post-pandemic, with plans to slash as many as 1,200 stores and double down on e-commerce.

    But China's Urban Revivo, founded in 2006, is eyeing markets well outside of Asia. Parent company Fashion Momentum Group wants to open in cities including London and New York, CEO Leo Li told Nikkei Asia.

    FMG now has over 400 Urban Revivo outlets in mainland China and a handful across Southeast Asia. Its only foothold in Western markets has been via online shopping.

    Next year, FMG plans to launch 20 international Urban Revivo stores annually, a number that could accelerate to 50 per year in the long term, Li said.

    He told Nikkei he hopes to expand the company to a $13.8 billion valuation — still well below competitors like Zara and H&M, whose parent companies have market capitalizations of around $155 billion and $23 billion, respectively. Zara has about 2,000 stores globally, while H&M has about 3,800.

    FMG is also weighing an initial public offering in Hong Kong, which could raise $100 million, Bloomberg reported last month.

    FMG's focus on Europe and the US comes as some of its industry peers excel in those markets. Japan's Fast Retailing, the parent company of brands including Uniqlo, reported strong sales from North American and European markets in the first half of 2024, while business in China has declined.

    Softening Chinese consumer demand has also hurt Urban Revivo's sales, which relies on brick-and-mortar stores more than its increasingly digital competitors, reported Nikkei Asia.

    FMG might fare a little better in the US. The quick adoption of Chinese brands like Shein and Temu shows that US consumers are comfortable with foreign brands, Damien Yeo, an analyst from Fitch Solutions, told Business Insider. But FMG would face a fashion-saturated America, with competition from other domestic and foreign brands like Uniqlo.

    US shoppers are "increasingly price-sensitive," Yeo said. "This means that fast-fashion companies are expected to do well as consumers trading down price points is often good news for them, since their products primarily target the mass market."

    Brick-and-mortar Urban Revivo outlets could translate to fewer ethical and political concerns than online "ultra-discounters" such as Shein and Temu, said Yeo.

    London is not a new stomping ground for the brand, which opened its first-ever UK store in 2018 — a store that has since closed. However, London might be another tough sell. Yeo said that the UK's sticky inflation numbers might spell trouble for Urban Revivo's sales, as consumers are pulling back on discretionary spending.

    The company did not respond to requests for comment.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • ASX 200 to finish 2024 higher than expected: AMP

    A group of friends party and dance in the desert with colourful confetti all around them.

    AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) has revised its end-of-year forecast for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) from 7,900 points to 8,100 points.

    The upgrade follows the ASX 200 cracking the 8,000 mark for the first time on Monday.

    The market benchmark reset its all-time record high again yesterday when it reached an intraday peak of 8,083.7 points.

    On Thursday, the market is down 0.33% to 8,031.7 points at the time of writing.

    The market wobbled today on news of a minute rise in the unemployment rate last month, which prompted new speculation about the Reserve Bank’s next move on interest rates.

    Let’s see what AMP chief economist Dr Shane Oliver has to say about the ASX 200’s path from here.

    ‘Roundaphobia’ may charge up market exuberance

    AMP expects the ASX 200 to rise in value by 6.7% (excluding dividends) in 2024, finishing the year at about 8,100 points.

    Its original forecast, published in May, was for the ASX 200 to finish at about 7,900 points.

    In a blog, Dr Oliver said the upgrade reflected “prospects for lower interest rates globally and eventually in Australia boosting the growth outlook next year”.

    He added that the ASX 200 pushing through a big round number was psychologically significant for investors. He said this milestone may inject “roundaphobia” exuberance into the market, with more investors feeling inspired to invest and thereby possibly pushing the benchmark’s value higher.

    3 factors driving the ASX 200 higher

    Dr Oliver explained there were three factors that drove the ASX 200 to its new record high this week.

    1. Renewed optimism about interest rate cuts in the United States

    Last Friday, we got the news that the US consumer price index (CPI) fell 0.1% between May and June. That put the annual rate at 3%, which was reportedly the lowest figure in more than three years.

    Dr Oliver said:

    A US rate cut is now fully priced in for September with nearly three cuts priced in by year end. This follows cuts in Switzerland, Sweden, Canada and Europe.

    Lower interest rates offer the prospect of better global growth in 2025 and they also help improve share market valuations. This has further boosted global shares, pulling Australian shares up.

    2. What happens in the US will eventually happen to the ASX 200

    Better prospects of a rate cut in the US have lifted hopes that the Reserve Bank will not raise rates here.

    Dr Oliver said:

    Consequently, we have seen money market expectations swing from around 70% probability of another hike by year end a few weeks ago to now just 16%.

    This has further helped boost interest sensitive Australian shares.

    3. Signs of rotation from tech to cyclical shares

    Dr Oliver said there were signs of a rotation from tech shares, which typically offer higher long-term growth potential, to value shares and cyclical stocks.

    ASX 200 value and cyclical shares are more likely to benefit from rate cuts and any associated economic growth.

    Dr Oliver said:

    This has been most evident in the US with a resurgence in small caps, with the Russell 2000 small cap index up more than 11% in the last week, but it may also benefit the relatively cyclical Australian share market.

    Despite these three positive factors, Dr Oliver warned of a “volatile and more constrained outlook” ahead.

    ‘High risk of correction’ in August/September

    Dr Oliver said an ASX 200 share correction may occur in August/September, which may present buying opportunities for investors.

    Dr Oliver said:

    But given risks around valuations, near term growth and geopolitics, we anticipate a volatile and more constrained outlook with a high risk of a correction in the August to September period, particularly if investors factor in the more negative economic implications of a Trump victory.

    He clarified that August/September was historically a seasonally weak period for the market.

    The post ASX 200 to finish 2024 higher than expected: AMP appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Amp 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 Amp 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 10 July 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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.

  • Why are ASX uranium shares having a week to forget?

    Three miners looking at a tablet.

    ASX uranium shares are experiencing a tough week. At the time of writing, all but one of the major uranium stocks is in the red.

    Despite market-sensitive announcements for only one company, it hasn’t stopped investors from selling down the sector today. Here’s the performance on Thursday at the time of writing:

    • Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN): down 3.83%, at $12.92
    • Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL): down 4.73%, at $1.31
    • Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE): down 1.92%, at $3.84
    • Bannerman Energy Ltd (ASX: BMN): down 1.63%, at $3.02
    • Peninsula Energy Ltd (ASX: PEN): flat, at 11 cents apiece

    Whilst it’s been relatively quiet from the companies’ ends, it’s worth noting that the energy regulator has potentially ruled out nuclear as the country’s energy solution.

    The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has chimed into the debate, and its comments could be one reason investors appear spooked today. Let’s take a look.

    AEMO’s stance on nuclear power

    Whilst not market-sensitive in any way, comments by Daniel Westerman, chief executive of the AEMO, could be one factor contributing to the decline in ASX uranium shares today.

    According to its website, AEMO’s role is to “manage the electricity and gas systems and markets across Australia, helping to ensure Australians have access to affordable, secure and reliable energy”.

    Speaking at the Clean Energy Summit on Tuesday, Westerman waved off nuclear power as a potential solution to Australia’s energy needs. He cited costs and timing as the main reasons.

    Even on the most optimistic outlook, nuclear power won’t be ready in time for the exit of Australia’s coal-fired power stations.

    And the imperative to replace that retiring coal generation is with us now.

    He labelled nuclear power as “comparatively expensive” and impractical for replacing coal-fired generators in the near term. This may have ramifications on ASX uranium shares.

    With coal plants shutting down faster than anticipated, the push for renewable energy sources – like wind and solar – could be the preferred path.

    Westerman said AEMO doesn’t determine whether one type of energy supply is “good or bad” but is “focused on finding the least-cost path to reliable and affordable energy for Australian consumers”.

    Apparently, this path of least resistance doesn’t include nuclear. This outlook could diminish the near-term prospects for uranium shares.

    ASX uranium shares in focus

    The overall sentiment in the uranium market has been shaky. Despite some positive developments, including potential supply constraints due to new tax policies in Kazakhstan, investor confidence remains fragile.

    Deep Yellow is the only ASX uranium share that actually announced something today. The company posted its presentation from the Noosa Mining Investor Conference.

    In it, the company touted its “significant exploration upside” and “significant production capacity”. It also discussed the case for uranium as “critical for a clean energy future”.

    Time will tell if this statement is to be true or not.

    Foolish takeout

    Some might think the recent dip in ASX uranium shares presents a buying opportunity, especially if they believe in the long-term potential of nuclear energy.

    However, the market remains highly volatile, and the political and regulatory situation regarding energy security does not help. As always, stay informed.

    The post Why are ASX uranium shares having a week to forget? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Bannerman Resources 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 Bannerman Resources Limited wasn’t one of them.

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    Motley Fool contributor Zach Bristow 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.

  • Why did the ASX 200 dip on the latest unemployment figures?

    a line up of job interview candidates sit in chairs against a wall clutching CVs on paper in an office setting.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) dived 0.18% immediately after the latest unemployment data was released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Thursday.

    The data revealed a less than 0.1% rise in the unemployment rate to 4.1% in June in seasonally adjusted terms. This compares to an unemployment rate of 4% in May, 4.1% in April, and 3.8% in March.

    The ASX 200 was already down 0.12% for the day when the jobs data was released at 11.30am AEST.

    The index initially fell a further 0.18% in the first 10 minutes after the data was released. ASX 200 shares then rebounded and recovered almost all of that loss by midday.

    Then they spiralled down again, losing 0.22% by 12.30pm. Then up they went again.

    Overall, the ASX 200 is down 0.23% at the time of writing, which is where it was just before the data came out.

    So, why was the market’s reaction to the new jobs numbers so erratic?

    ASX 200 topsy turvy after jobs news released

    Well, it’s a case of good news/bad news here.

    For many months, the market has been waiting with bated breath for any indication that an interest rate cut may be on the cards.

    Then, last month’s higher-than-expected inflation numbers prompted speculation that a rate rise may come first. Inflation for the 12 months to May was 4%, up from 3.6% in the 12 months to April. Eek.

    So, the market is nervous about interest rates right now.

    That brings us to the good news/bad news element of today’s unemployment figures.

    The ‘good’ news is that unemployment went up. The reason that is ‘good’ news is because historically, inflation won’t go down without a rise in unemployment.

    And everyone wants inflation to go down, because that’s our ticket to interest rate cuts.

    So, last month’s small uptick in unemployment represents progress toward lower inflation.

    But it’s the pace of progress that is the bad news here.

    The unemployment rate lifted by less than 0.1% last month. It’s now back to where it was in April. So, over the past two months, it’s fair to say the jobs market has been incredibly resilient and stable.

    Resilient jobs tend to mean businesses are going well. They’re making enough money to retain staff and even hire more. But it also means the progress on bringing inflation down appears to be stalling.

    And that is something the Reserve Bank of Australia is concerned about. Governor Michele Bullock has explained on many occasions that if the board feels inflation is not moving sustainably toward the target 2% to 3% band, the board will not hesitate to do what is necessary (i.e., raise rates) to achieve this goal.

    The jobs data in detail

    Employment rose by 50,200 people — which was twice consensus estimates — and the number of unemployed persons rose by 9,700.

    The participation rate rose to 66.9%, which is only 0.1% lower than the historical high of 67% recorded in November 2023.

    Bjorn Jarvis, ABS head of labour statistics, said:

    The employment-to-population ratio and participation rate both continue to be near their 2023 highs. This, along with the continued high level of job vacancies, suggests the labour market remains relatively tight, despite the unemployment rate being above 4.0 per cent since April.

    Jarvis said more people than usual worked reduced hours in June due to illness, and fewer people took annual leave.

    He commented:

    In June, we continued to see more people than usual working reduced hours because they were sick, similar to what we saw in May.

    Around 4.5 per cent of employed people in June could not work their usual hours because they were sick, compared to the pre-pandemic average for June of 3.6 per cent.

    However, we also saw less people taking annual leave in June 2024. There were around 12.5 per cent of people working fewer hours because they were on leave, compared with the pre-pandemic average for June of 14.5 per cent.

    The underemployment rate fell 0.3% to 6.5%.

    What does all this mean?

    The labour market is “too strong for inflation to fall”, according to VanEck’s head of investments and capital markets, Russel Chesler (courtesy Australian Financial Review (AFR)).

    Chesler said:

    It’s a tough pill to swallow, but the reality is that an unemployment figure of at least 4.5 per cent would be needed to cool inflation.

    With inflation coming in at 4% in May, Chesler thinks the RBA will have to raise rates to knock inflation back onto a sustainable downward trajectory.

    This is the only way to push inflation back into the RBA’s target range. The RBA did not go as hard as other developed economies with rate rises, and we are now seeing this play out with escalating inflation. It’s time for the RBA to rip the band-aid off.

    But State Street’s Asia Pacific economist, Krishna Bhimavarapu, maintains her view that the RBA will cut rates in November.

    Bhimavarapu said:

    The key takeaway is that the unemployment rate increased by a tenth to 4.1 per cent …

    We continue to view an August rate hike to be a bad idea, and still think the cash rate will be cut in November.

    The big test for the economy will come on 31 July when the second quarter inflation data is released.

    The RBA pays much more attention to quarterly inflation data given monthly readings do not cover all goods and services and, thus, are notoriously volatile.

    The Reserve Bank’s next board meeting to discuss interest rates is scheduled for 5-6 August.

    Energy shares lead the ASX 200 on Thursday

    Energy shares are leading the ASX 200 today, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) up 0.49%.

    Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are up 1.05%, and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) is up 1% on rising oil prices. Brent crude is up 0.45% at US$85.45 per barrel at the time of writing.

    Oil prices are rising due to a larger-than-expected drawdown in US crude inventories, according to Trading Economics.

    The post Why did the ASX 200 dip on the latest unemployment figures? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 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.

  • Buy these top ASX ETFs for income in FY 2025

    Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) don’t just provide investors with access to growth stocks or indices. They can also be used to generate income.

    For example, listed below are two ASX ETFs that provide investors with access to groups of dividend shares.

    Here’s why they could be top options for income investors in the new financial year:

    Betashares Australian Top 20 Equity Yield Maximiser Fund (ASX: YMAX)

    The first ASX ETF for income investors to look in FY 2025 is the Betashares Australian Top 20 Equity Yield Maximiser Fund.

    It aims to generate attractive quarterly income and reduce the volatility of portfolio returns by implementing an equity income investment strategy over a portfolio of the 20 largest blue-chip shares listed on the Australian share market. It does this using something called a covered call strategy.

    The fund manager recently recommended the ETF as an option to counter falling dividend yields. It said:

    YMAX is an investment option for those seeking quarterly distributions and reduced portfolio volatility. […] Betashares’ range of Yield Maximiser funds use a covered call strategy to offer additional income over and above dividends generated by the portfolio. This approach takes a two-pronged strategy: earning dividends from the underlying stocks and generating income from writing call options on those shares. A covered call strategy performs well in a neutral or gradually rising market, allowing call options to generate income without stocks being called away too often, as has been seen in recent months.

    It currently trades with a trailing 12-month dividend yield of 7.8%.

    Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY)

    Another ASX ETF for income investors to look at in FY 2025 is the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF.

    This ETF doesn’t use a covered call strategy. It just focuses on loading up with ASX dividend shares that brokers are forecasting to provide big dividend yields.

    But this doesn’t just mean you buy banks and miner. The fund is designed to provide investors with a diverse group of approximately 70 shares and limits how much it invests in any particular industry or company.

    At present, you will find companies such as BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), and Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) among its holdings.

    The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF currently trades with a trailing dividend yield of 5%.

    The post Buy these top ASX ETFs for income in FY 2025 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.*

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    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 Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Coles Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.