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

More reading

• Why this speculative ASX stock could rise 60%
• 9 ASX 200 shares finishing FY24 on a 52-week high
• Why Delta Lithium, IAG, Mirvac, and Suncorp shares are climbing today
• IAG shares jump 7% after cutting a deal with Warren Buffett’s Berkshire
• ANZ shares higher on ‘significant’ $4.9b Suncorp Bank acquisition approval

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 Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The final distribution (or dividend) amount that investors in the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) will receive was revealed to the market today.

The VAS exchange-traded fund (ETF) will pay investors 67.2112 US cents per ETF unit held on 16 July.

Based on today’s exchange rate, that equates to about 101.49 cents per share.

If you want to receive the distribution, you have to buy the ASX VAS ETF before its ex-dividend date.

And that’s Monday, by the way.

Want the next ASX VAS dividend?

To receive the next dividend, investors must snap up some shares in the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF before the closing bell at 4pm EST today.

If you’re already an ASX VAS holder and want to reinvest your dividend automatically, you need to register for the dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) by 5pm EST on the record date, which is next Tuesday, 2 July.

What about other Vanguard ASX ETF dividends?

Vanguard has announced final distribution amounts for a variety of other ETFs besides the ASX VAS.

They include the Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS), which will pay 218.8902 US cents per unit. In Australian currency, this equates to 330.51 AU cents per share.

Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) will pay 77.94 US cents per share. This equates to 117.69 AU cents per share.

Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF (ASX: VDHG) will pay 105.658 US cents per share. This equates to 159.51 AU cents per share.

Vanguard Ethically Conscious International Shares Index ETF (VESG) will pay 55.7949 US cents per share. This equates to 84.23 AU cents per share.

Vanguard Australian Government Bond Index ETF (ASX: VGB) will pay 44.2469 US cents per share. This equates to 66.8 AU cents per share.

All of these ETFs have the same ex-dividend date, record date, payment date and DRP deadline as the ASX VAS.

What is the ASX VAS?

The ASX VAS gives Australian investors exposure to the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: VAS).

This provides access to heavyweight stocks such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) and Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), along with some smaller companies ranked 201 to 300.

These include Nanosonics Ltd (ASX: NAN), Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB), Credit Corp Group Limited (ASX: CCP) Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) and PWR Holdings Ltd (ASX: PWH).

Almost 8% growth over FY24

The ASX VAS is up 7.75% since 30 June 2023.

The post Want the latest Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF dividend? Here’s what to do appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The CBA share price trounced the benchmark again in June! Here’s how
• Buy these ASX ETFs in July for passive income
• Which ASX shares to buy if interest rates rise (and which to avoid)
• Is the FY25 outlook compelling for the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (VAS)?
• Here’s when CBA and these ASX 200 bank stocks are paying their dividends

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group, CSL, Commonwealth Bank Of Australia, Goodman Group, Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF, and Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Aussie Broadband, CSL, Goodman Group, Nanosonics, PWR Holdings, Temple & Webster Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Nanosonics, PWR Holdings, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Aussie Broadband, CSL, Goodman Group, Temple & Webster Group, Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF, and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that has a strong following on the ASX.

This actively managed ETF has turned plenty of heads in recent years with its Warren Buffett-like investing style and impressive performance metrics.

Unlike many ASX ETFs though, the Wide Moat ETF only pays out one dividend distribution a year. As such, it’s normally a much-watched event when we find out exactly how much MOAT investors are set to bag for the year just gone.

Well, today is the day for the 2024 financial year. We’ve just learned how much investors in the Wide Moat ETF are set to get paid. And boy, it’s a doozy this year.

So according to an ASX filing released this morning before market open, MOAT investors are set to enjoy an FY2024 payout of $9.73 for every MOAT unit owned.

At the current MOAT unit price of $124.42, this equates to a yield worth a whopping 7.82%. That’s an improvement on the $8.15 investors enjoyed this time last year. As well as a huge increase over the 98.11 cents per unit that was doled out back in 2022.

As the VanEck Wide Moat ETF holds no ASX shares, this dividend distribution won’t come with any franking credits attached.

So how is this ETF managing to pay out such a massive dividend? Particularly when most of its underlying holdings don’t have particularly large dividend yields?

How can the MOAT ETF afford this monster ASX dividend?

Well, an ETF can fund a dividend in two ways. The first is by passing on any dividend income it receives from its underlying holdings. Part of this $9.73 per share would be made up of this passed-through income.

But the other way is by banking profits resulting from the ETF’s periodic rebalancings.

The MOAT ETF works by allocating each of its holdings an equal weight in its portfolio. If a share grows in value and, as a result, occupies a larger position in MOAT’s portfolio, the ETF sells off the excess value and banks the profit. It’s clear that this has occurred frequently over MOAT’s FY 2024, resulting in the monstrous dividend its investors are set to enjoy.

But if anyone who doesn’t already own MOAT units wishes to receive this supersized dividend distribution, they’d better hurry. The VanEck Wide Moat ETF is scheduled to trade ex-dividend next Monday, 1 July.

That means today is the last day you can buy MOAT units with the rights to this dividend attached. From Monday onwards, buying MOAT units will probably be cheaper, as new investors will miss out on this monster payout.

For eligible investors, dividend payday will then roll around on 23 July next month.

The post Own the VanEck Wide Moat ETF? Get ready for a monster ASX dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• $20,000 invested in the ASX MOAT ETF 5 years ago is worth how much?
• 2 of my favourite ASX ETFs for Australian investors
• Why these strong ASX ETFs could be top long term picks
• 16% per annum: What is the VanEck Wide Moat ETF’s secret sauce?
• Looking for ASX growth shares? I rate these 2 as buys

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. 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 VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you’re looking for big returns and have a high tolerance for risk, then it could be worth checking out De Grey Mining Limited (ASX: DEG) shares.

That’s because analysts at Bell Potter believe the speculative ASX stock could be seriously undervalued at current levels.

What is this speculative ASX stock?

De Grey Mining is a Western Australia-based gold explorer and project development company.

It is currently focused on the 100% owned Hemi Gold Project in the Pilbara region. This is a large scale, high value, near surface gold discovery at an area called Hemi.

Management believes that the Hemi discovery is rapidly moving towards De Grey’s goal of defining a Tier 1 project with true district-scale potential. Mineralisation in the Hemi area has been identified over a large area and a 10.5 million ounce mineral resource was released last year. However, the discovery remains open in multiple directions. This could mean an even larger resource is unearthed in time.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter is feeling very positive about this speculative ASX stock. Particularly given how it has just secured a $1 billion senior debt facility. It believes this substantially reduces financing risks for Hemi Gold Project. It commented:

This proposed facility effectively satisfies the debt funding requirement for the construction of the HGP [Hemi Gold Project] and follows on last month’s equity raising of $600m (completed at an issue price of $1.10/sh) which has lifted DEG’s current cash position to >$850m. Together these funding sources put DEG in a strong financial position to construct the HGP, maintain an active Resource growth drilling program and provide a significant working capital buffer through project commissioning and ramp up. Project execution workstreams continue to indicate that there have been no material changes to the capital cost estimate outlined in the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) of September 2023.

Big returns

In response to the news, the broker has reaffirmed its speculative buy rating on the ASX gold stock with an improved price target of $1.82.

Based on its current share price of $1.14, this implies potential upside of 60% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, Bell Potter concludes:

This is another key milestone and de-risking step for DEG. While formal documentation remains to be completed (expected in 2HCY24) and key permits for the HGP are yet to be obtained we do not foresee any reason for these not to be issued. Timing remains a risk, in our view, as we have recently observed permitting timelines becoming extended in WA.

Overall, however, we view this progress as consistent with the HGP advancing towards a final investment decision in 2HCY24, targeting production in 2HCY26. We also see a tactical aspect in DEG being in a stronger financial position to defend any takeover approaches, which we consider to be reasonably likely. With this update we lower our risk-adjustment discount to reflect the reduced financing risk and our valuation lifts 4%, to $1.82/sh. We retain our Speculative Buy recommendation.

The post Why this speculative ASX stock could rise 60% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why this ASX 200 gold stock could rise 50%+

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.

Scores of ASX 200 shares are finishing FY24 with a bang after reaching 52-week high prices today.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is currently up 0.39% on Friday and up 8.15% for the financial year.

Let’s take a look at nine stocks setting new price benchmarks for themselves today.

9 ASX 200 shares smashing new price highs

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

The Macquarie share price hit a 52-week high of $207.57 on Friday. The ASX 200 bank share is up 16.8% over the past 12 months. There is no price-sensitive news from the financial major today.

Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL)

Aristocrat shares soared to an all-time record high of $50.30 in earlier trading. The ASX 200 gaming tech share is up 30.19% over the past year. The company has not released any price-sensitive news today.

Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN)

This ASX 200 banking and insurance share hit a 52-week high of $17.73. This followed news that the Federal Treasurer has approved the proposed acquisition of Suncorp’s banking division by Big Four bank ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ). Suncorp shares are up 28.38% over the past 12 months.

Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG)

This ASX utilities share hit a 52-week high of $11.06 on Friday. Origin shares are up 30.77% over the past year. There is no price-sensitive news out of the electricity and gas provider today.

Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG)

The IAG share price reached a four-year high of $7.33 in earlier trading after the insurance giant announced a five-year reinsurance deal with a subsidiary of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B). The ASX 200 insurance share has risen 25.4% over the past year.

Altium Ltd (ASX: ALU)

ASX 200 technology share Altium reached an all-time high of $68.11 today. The company has made no price-sensitive announcements on Friday. However, earlier in the week, Altium advised the market that most regulatory approvals for its potential takeover by Renesas Electronics Corp had been obtained. The ASX tech stock is up 86.92% over the past 12 months.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN)

This regional bank stock hit a five-year high of $11.64. It has risen 34.5% over the past 12 months, the second-highest rate of growth (behind National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) at 37.5%) among the seven ASX 200 bank shares. There was no price-sensitive news from Bendigo Bank today.

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

This ASX 200 tech share hit an all-time high of $18.70 despite no price-sensitive news today. Technology One shares are up 20.82% over the past 12 months.

HUB24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

Hub24 has not released any news today, but its shares have once again reset their all-time record high. In earlier trading, these ASX 200 shares reached $46.64 and are up 79.52% over the year.

The post 9 ASX 200 shares finishing FY24 on a 52-week high appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Delta Lithium, IAG, Mirvac, and Suncorp shares are climbing today
• These 3 ASX shares have unstoppable dividend growth
• IAG shares jump 7% after cutting a deal with Warren Buffett’s Berkshire
• ANZ shares higher on ‘significant’ $4.9b Suncorp Bank acquisition approval
• 4 ASX 200 dividend giants to buy in July

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Anz Group and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Altium, Berkshire Hathaway, Hub24, Macquarie Group, and Technology One. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Berkshire Hathaway, Hub24, and Technology One. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Owners of Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares may like to know about a possible move with its corporate structure that could unlock enormous value.

There is no confirmation that the ASX mining share is working on a plan yet, but growing market noise could suggest it’s being considered.

Rio Tinto has an interesting corporate structure where Rio Tinto plc (LSE: RIO) – listed in London – and Rio Tinto Ltd are two separate companies.

Interestingly, Rio Tinto Ltd shares trade on a valuation that’s around 20% higher than the UK-listed entity. The Australian Financial Review suggested investors have been willing to pay more for the ASX-listed entity because of the benefit of franking credits, which are only available for Australian tax residents.

Should Rio Tinto copy its rival?

It wasn’t too long ago that BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) decided to consolidate its corporate structure to Australia, and some investors believe Rio Tinto could benefit from doing the same.

According to reporting by the AFR, Blackwattle Investment Partners fund manager Ray David thinks Rio Tinto could unlock up to $40 billion in value if it copies BHP’s move.

Rio Tinto has made a number of changes in recent years including improving its relationships with government, traditional owners and shareholders after the Juukan Gorge incident.

David thinks Rio Tinto making a change to its corporate structure would be the “next step” in improving its corporate governance.

The AFR reported that David wrote a five-page letter to the Rio Tinto board in May, in which he said:

We contend that the dual-class structure is antiquated and advocate for a shift towards a single-class structure, in line with best corporate governance practices and the interests of all shareholders.

Blackwattle would profit if a restructuring occurred because it owns the UK-listed shares. UK Rio Tinto plc shares would benefit if Rio Tinto Ltd bought the UK-listed shares in an all-share deal, and every shareholder could gain from the improvement in capital allocation and simplification benefits that a combined Rio Tinto would deliver.

The AFR reported David said Rio Tinto’s dual-listed company structure is restricting its ability to pursue share/scrip-based acquisitions. About three-quarters of Rio Tinto’s shares are owned by Rio Tinto plc.

Rio Tinto also reportedly can’t do much with share buybacks at the moment because China’s Chinalco owns 14.6% of Rio Tinto plc and is restricted from owning more than 14.99% of Rio Tinto.

ASX mining share’s response

The AFR reported on comments of a spokesman from the ASX mining share who said:

We regularly look at a range of corporate and strategy topics with a focus on optimising shareholder value and delivering for our stakeholders, and we have a policy of open dialogue with all shareholders around these topics.

Time will tell whether that’s a hint that the ASX mining share is considering it.

Rio Tinto share price snapshot

Since the start of 2024, the Rio Tinto share price is down 12%, as shown on the chart below, compared to a rise of 2% for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

The post Could this move unlock $40 billion for Rio Tinto shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Buy these ASX dividend shares for 5% to 6% yields
• What’s the outlook for ASX 200 mining shares in FY25?
• What’s happening with the big 3 ASX 200 iron ore stocks today?
• Buying Rio Tinto shares? Here’s why this ‘world-class’ lithium project could be back on track

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 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.

It has been another busy week for many of Australia’s top brokers. This has led to the release of a number of broker notes.

Three broker buy ratings that you might want to know more about are summarised below. Here’s why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone right now:

Baby Bunting Group Ltd (ASX: BBN)

According to a note out of Morgans, its analysts have retained their add rating on this baby products retailer’s shares with an improved price target of $1.80. This follows the release of a trading update this week which saw the company reaffirm its profit guidance for FY 2024. However, the big positive was the improvement in the company’s sales performance since the end of April. It feels this bodes well for Baby Bunting in FY 2025. So much so, it is forecasting a huge rebound its profits. In addition, Morgans notes that its medium term growth will be supported by new exclusive supply agreements. The Baby Bunting share price is trading at $1.57 on Friday afternoon.

Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

A note out of UBS reveals that its analysts have upgraded this youth fashion retailer’s shares to a buy rating with a $6.00 price target. The broker made the move largely on valuation grounds following a recent pullback in the company’s share price. Outside this, it likes Universal Store due to its exposure to the resilient youth consumer and its successful marketing execution. And while its store rollout may be slower than originally hoped, it appears to see positives in this approach. UBS also highlights its strong balance sheet and positive medium term growth outlook as reasons to buy its shares. The Universal Store share price is fetching $4.96 at the time of writing.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Analysts at Goldman Sachs have reiterated their buy rating on this supermarket giant’s shares with an improved price target of $40.20. The broker believes that concerns over margin weakness and regulatory reviews is overdone and created a buying opportunity for investors. In respect to margins, Goldman’s analysis and channel checks suggest resilient ~3% industry topline supermarket growth from improving volume. In addition, it sees ample levers for gross profit margin expansion through business model mix and margin optimisation opportunities. As a result, Goldman is forecasting an earnings per share compound annual growth rate of 8.2% between FY 2024 and FY 2027. The Woolworths share price is trading at $33.87 this afternoon.

The post Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Supermarket concerns ‘overdone’: Buy Woolworths shares
• Why Arcadium Lithium, Baby Bunting, Cettire, and Qualitas shares are racing higher
• Why is this ASX retail stock rocketing 17% during today’s market selloff?
• 3 super strong blue chip ASX 200 shares to buy in July
• Where to invest your Westpac dividends

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Universal Store. 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.

ASX All Ords healthcare stock Immutep Ltd (ASX: IMM) is down by 26% over the past two days, and one market analyst reckons it’s a golden buy-the-dip opportunity staring us right in the face.

Immutep shares are currently trading for 32 cents, down 5.97% on Friday. The stock plummeted 47% to an intraday 52-week low of 23 cents yesterday after the company released topline medical trial results.

Let’s investigate.

Is this ASX All Ords healthcare stock a buy?

The TACTI-003 Phase IIb Trial is investigating the use of a combination therapy as a first-line treatment for head and neck cancer in 171 patients.

The combined therapy involves Immutep’s MHC Class II agonist, eftilagimod alfa (efti), and anti-PD-1 therapy Keytruda (pembrolizumab).

Keytruda is a trademarked drug owned by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co Inc.

In the first cohort of patients, the combined therapy led to a higher overall response rate compared to Keytruda therapy alone.

Results from the second cohort will follow next month, but management said they show an even higher overall response rate.

Sounds positive, so why did investors rush to sell the ASX All Ords healthcare stock?

As my colleague James explained in his coverage yesterday, the selling may have been driven by the absence of a p-value in the results.

The p-value is defined as the probability that the observed effect within the trial would have occurred by chance if there was no true effect.

Immutep has included p-values in study results in the past. So, investors may have wondered about their absence in the announcement.

What do the brokers say?

Wilsons reckons investors have made an error in judgement and punished the ASX All Ords stock unreasonably.

As reported in The Australian, Wilsons said:

The market has yet again misread Immutep and (this) should represent an obvious buying opportunity.

The broker added:

The market is also completely ignoring that Immutep have announced that data from Part B has substantially improved from early data release in April which already demonstrated more than five times vs. Keytruda monotherapy in this cohort.

Wilsons has an overweight rating on Immutep and a share price target of $1.13. This implies a potential 253% upside for this ASX All Ords healthcare stock over the next 12 months.

Bell Potter maintained its speculative buy rating on Immutep after the results were released.

The broker described the results as “a pleasing set of data and certainly supportive of further investment in clinical trials”.

Bell Potter reckons the ASX All Ords stock is worth 80 cents. So, it sees today’s price level as a steal.

Immutep share price snapshot

The Immutep share price has risen 13.2% over the past 12 months.

This compares to an 8.85% gain for the S&P/ASX All Ords Index (ASX: XAO).

The post ‘Obvious buying opportunity’: Top broker says beaten-up ASX All Ords stock has 253% upside appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Abacus, Bannerman Energy, Immutep, and Pilbara Minerals shares are falling today
• Why APA Group, Immutep, NAB, and Immutep shares are sinking
• Why did this ASX healthcare stock just crash 47%?
• This speculative ASX stock could almost double in value
• Why Brainchip, Immutep, Liontown, and Xero shares are tumbling today

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 positions in and has recommended Merck. 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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) stocks, taken together, moved higher in June.

In afternoon trade on Friday, with just hours left before the ASX closes shop for the month, the benchmark index is up 1.4% since the closing bell rang on 31 May.

But not all companies joined in the move higher.

Below we look at three ASX 200 stocks that tumbled as much as 23% over the month almost past.

We note that all three have a common factor, and we ponder whether after June’s big falls they may now present good value.

Three ASX 200 stocks falling hard in June

The third worst performer on our list is ASX 200 lithium stock Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS).

The Pilbara Minerals share price is down 3.1% in intraday trade today at $3.16 a share. The lithium miner closed out May trading at $3.79 a share, which sees the stock down 16.6% in June.

The only price-sensitive news out from the miner came on 21 June.

Pilbara updated the market on its pre-feasibility study (PFS) for expanded production at its Pilgangoora project. The PFS revealed that production capacity at Pilgangoora could increase to more than two million tonnes a year.

But the ASX 200 stock closed the day down 2.8% on the news. That may be due to the estimated $1.2 billion price tag for a new whole of ore flotation plant required for the expansion.

Moving on to the second worst ASX 200 stock performer on our list for June, we have lithium miner IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO).

The IGO share price is down 1.2% in intraday trade on Friday at $5.80. The stock closed out May trading for $6.99, which sees the IGO share price down 17.0% over the month.

The only price-sensitive news announced from the miner in June involved gold, not lithium.

On 21 June, IGO reported on the legal action being taken by South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) regarding disputed royalty payments from the Tropicana Gold Mine, located in Western Australia. IGO denies it has any royalty obligations to South32.

Which brings us to the worst ASX 200 stock performer on our list for June, Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN).

The diversified mining services company has mining operations primarily focused on lithium and iron ore. Mineral Resources holds a direct interest in two Western Australian lithium mines, Mount Marion and Wodgina.

Did you catch the common thread yet?

The Mineral Resources share price is down 0.7% in intraday trade today at $55.53. Shares closed out May trading for $71.66 apiece, which sees the mining stock down 22.5% for the month.

Atop being pressured by tumbling lithium prices, as with the two ASX 200 stocks above, Mineral Resources also didn’t get any help from the 9% retrace in the iron ore price in June.

On 20 June, the miner reported it would stop shipping iron ore from its Yilgarn Hub iron ore operation in Western Australia. With management determining the project is no longer financially viable, shipments will cease by the end of the year. The Mineral Resources share price closed down 1.0% on the day.

Time to buy the dip?

After June’s big falls for these ASX 200 stocks, it may be tempting to go bargain hunting.

But buyer beware.

I’d steer away from both IGO and Pilbara for the time being, with lithium prices widely forecast for more falls ahead.

June saw the price of the battery-critical metal tumble some 15%, currently trading near three-year lows of US$12,000 a tonne.

And the analysts at Citi expect the lithium price has further to fall before finding support. Pointing to building global inventories, the broker believes we “should see lithium prices fall another 15% to 20% to $US10,000 a tonne” over the next three to six months.

As for Mineral Resources, the ASX 200 stock has significant revenue potential outside of the lithium space. And with that diversity in mind, I’m in line to agree with the analysts at Bell Potter and say June’s big share price retrace could present a good ‘buy the dip‘ opportunity.

Bell Potter recently reaffirmed its buy rating on Mineral Resources shares with an $84.00 price target. That’s some 50% above current levels.

According to the broker:

Mineral Resources completes everything from engineering, to construction, to all aspects of operations in-house.

Our buy view is underpinned by MIN’s earnings diversification, strong insider ownership, clearly articulated strategies, expertise in contracting and internal growth options at Onslow as well as potential lithium expansions including into downstream.

The post These were 3 of the worst-performing ASX 200 stocks in June. Time to buy the dip? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Abacus, Bannerman Energy, Immutep, and Pilbara Minerals shares are falling today
• Macquarie names 6 ASX shares to buy in July after tax-loss selling
• Down 25% in a month: Are Mineral Resources shares dirt cheap?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Is the Pilbara Minerals share price on track for a strong recovery in FY25?

Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. 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 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.

In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record a decent gain. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up 0.35% to 7,786.2 points.

Four ASX shares that are rising more than most today are listed below. Here’s why they are climbing:

Delta Lithium Ltd (ASX: DLI)

The Delta share price is up 13% to 26 cents. Investors have been buying this lithium explorer’s shares after it released an update on its 100% owned Mt Ida Project in Western Australia. That update revealed that the company has discovered a significant gold deposit, not lithium. Management revealed that its mineral resource estimate for gold at Mt Ida (inferred and indicated) is now 6.6Mt @ 3.5 g/t Au for 752,000 ounces. Delta Lithium’s managing director, James Croser, said: “This is a wonderful result for Delta shareholders, reaffirming our long-held belief that the gold system at Mt Ida has significant scale and upside.”

Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG)

The Insurance Australia Group share price is up almost 7% to $7.11. This morning, this insurance giant released an update and reaffirmed its guidance for FY 2024. In respect to the latter, its reported insurance profit and margin are on track to be around the upper end of guidance ranges. In addition, IAG announced that it has purchased reinsurance protection to mitigate natural perils volatility for the next five years, alongside securing adverse development protection for its $2.5 billion long-tail reserves. IAG CEO Nick Hawkins said: “Today’s announcement is an important milestone in our strategy to create a stronger, more resilient IAG.”

Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR)

The Mirvac Group share price is up 4% to $1.88. This follows the release a trading update from the property company this morning. Mirvac reaffirmed its guidance for operating earnings per share of 14 cents to 14.3 cents in FY 2024 and a distribution per share of 10.5 cents. In addition, Mirvac revealed that it has delivered on its ~$1 billion asset sales program. This includes 367 Collins Street, Melbourne (exchanged and deposit received), with settlement expected in July 2024.

Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN)

The Suncorp share price is up 3.5% to $17.41. This has been driven by news that ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) has received a major boost in its quest to acquire Suncorp Bank for $4.9 billion. The Federal Treasurer has approved the proposed acquisition, paving the way for the deal to complete in July. Suncorp Group’s chairman, Christine McLoughlin, said: “The Suncorp Group Board remains committed to returning to shareholders the majority of net proceeds following completion of the sale.”

The post Why Delta Lithium, IAG, Mirvac, and Suncorp shares are climbing today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.