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The Sezzle Inc (ASX: SZL) share price has exploded in the past month.

Since market open on 22 July, the Sezzle share price has soared 128%. However, in today’s trade, the Sezzle share price fell 6.16%. Meanwhile, the Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) share price also lost 6.12% today.

Let’s take a look at what has been going on with Sezzle.

What is going on?

Sezzle’s share price has lifted amid a positive outlook for the year ahead and improving market sentiment for the buy now, pay later (BNPL) sector.

Between market close on 26 of July and 28 July, the Sezzle share price rocketed 183% alone.

This sharp rise prompted the ASX to issue the company with a price query. In response, Sezzle said:

Investors led the increase in trading activity, because of the sector having been significantly down in recent weeks

Meanwhile, on 29 July, Sezzle provided a second quarter update. As my foolish colleague James reported at the time, underlying merchant sales lifted 1.9% to US$419.1 million. Meanwhile, total income lifted 6.8% to US$29.3 million.

Finally, on 18 August, Sezzle shares received a boost on news of the company’s July business update and plan to return to profit.

Sezzle revealed underlying merchant sales in July had risen 9.5% compared to the previous month to $141.2 million. Sezzle said as of 16 August, it has 64,000 subscribers.

Sezzle also highlighted its progress on cost-saving initiatives. Sezzle plans to end payment processing in India, lower third party spend, pull back Brazil and Europe efforts and reduce the workforce.

The company’s CEO Charlie Youakim, provided optimism that Sezzle would return to profit by the end of the year. He said:

We understand the impact these initiatives have on growth, so teams are moving expeditiously to achieve profitability before refocusing efforts back to growth

July’s results demonstrate the progress and success of our initiatives in Sezzle’s evolution to be a profitable and positive free cash flow business by year end.

Sezzle share price snapshot

The Sezzle share price has descended nearly 90% in the past year, while it has lost 77% year to date.

However, in the past week, Sezzle shares have lost nearly 17%.

Sezzle has a market capitalisation of about $140.7 million based on the current share price.

The post Why has the Sezzle share price exploded 128% in a month? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Why is the Block share price tumbling 6% today?
• Why is the Zip share price behaving so strangely on the ASX today?
• Sezzle share price soars 22% as BNPL company eyes profit target by year-end
• Sezzle share price tumbles 11% as losses deepen
• Why is the Zip share price tumbling 6% on Tuesday?

Motley Fool contributor Monica O’Shea 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.

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Investors must have been hungry to find some fish to put in their portfolios on Tuesday — well, not literally. However, two companies involved in fish farming were getting their fair share of attention on the ASX today.

At the closing bell, shares in takeover target Tassal Group Limited (ASX: TGR) were 0.1% higher to $5.155. That’s a new 52-week high for the salmon and prawn producer.

Meanwhile, the much smaller Murray Cod Australia Ltd (ASX: MCA) was an even fresher 12.5% in the green, finishing at 22.5 cents per share.

So, the question is: What has spurred on this recent taste for aquaculture?

Why these fishy shares were ASX winners today

The disastrous unravelling of supply chains amid one global event after another has put greater focus on food supply. Making do without toilet paper for a week might get messy, but going a week without food jeopardises survival.

We only need to look at commodities such as coal to see how costly an unmet demand can be. While Australia produces a huge volume of food that ends up being exported, the country is said to only have five days worth of supply at any given moment.

These concerns could be feeding into renewed investor interest in consumer staples. Prior to Russia invading Ukraine, Tassal shares were trading for $3.65 apiece. Now, the ASX share has a $5.23 per share takeover bid at its feet from Canadian aquaculture giant Cooke Inc.

Similarly, Murray Cod Australia enjoyed a solid session on the ASX today. While perhaps not big enough to be attracting billion-dollar buyouts yet, the company does have a notable feather in its cap.

As reported in The Australian, Murray Cod counts world-renowned chef Heston Blumenthal and his Fat Duck Group as a shareholder.

Murray Cod executive chair Ross Anderson believes the Tassal bid speaks volumes for the industry at large.

Commenting on the development, Anderson said:

It is a vindication of the quality of Australian aquaculture that large protein producers around the world – JBS and Cooke aquaculture – come as far as Australia and are prepared to pay the premiums to acquire those operations.

JBS is a Brazilian company that claims to be the world’s largest meat processor. It acquired former ASX company Huon Aquaculture Group Ltd in 2021.

Based on the closing price of Murray Cod on the ASX today, the company touts a market capitalisation of $153 million.

The post Something fishy was happening on the ASX today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• 3 ASX All Ordinaries shares cracking new highs on Friday
• Why BHP, Life360, Tassal, and Temple & Webster shares are charging higher
• Tassal share price surges 5% on $1.7b takeover bid and full year earnings

Motley Fool contributor Mitchell Lawler has positions in Tassal Group Limited. 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.

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It turned out to be a fairly dreadful day of trading for ASX shares and the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) on Tuesday’s session. At market close, the ASX 200 had dropped a painful 1.21% to 6,961.8 points. But that drop was nothing compared to the cliff that the EML Payments Ltd (ASX: EML) share price went over.

While the ASX 200 lost 1.21%, EML shares ended up closing at a flat $99.5 each, down a depressing 11.56% from yesterday’s close of $1.12.

So what went wrong for this ASX 200 payments company that might have elicited such a dramatic fall?

Why did the EML Payments share price crash 12% today?

Well, there wasn’t any fresh news out of EML today. However, it was only yesterday that the company dropped its full-year earnings report for FY2022.

As we went through yesterday, this saw EML report record revenues of $234.1 million, up 21% on the previous year. Earnings and profits were a bit more mixed, but EML also announced a new $20 million share buyback program.

Yesterday, investors’ reaction was unequivocal, with EML shares ending the trading day up a pleasing 6.6% after trading more than 13% higher at one point during the session.

But it seems today, investors have gotten a major case of ‘cold feet’. Since there is no additional news or announcements out of the company, this could be the most likely explanation for the shocker that EML shares had today.

It’s probably the last thing investors needed too. After this session, the EML share price is down a painful 70% or so over 2022 year to date. It’s also down almost 74% over the past 12 months.

At the last EML Payments share price, this ASX 200 payments share had a market capitalisation of $371 million.

The post Why did the EML share price tumble 12% on Tuesday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Looking to buy Woolworths shares? Here’s what to watch in this week’s earnings results
• 3 ASX 200 shares breaking multi-year highs on Tuesday
• Why has the Chalice Mining share price dived 13% in the past week?
• Here are the 3 most heavily traded ASX 200 shares on Tuesday

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 EML Payments. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended EML Payments. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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The Sayona Mining Ltd (ASX: SYA) share price failed to hit the heights of some of its fellow ASX lithium stocks today, ending the day flat at 27.5 cents.

However, it outperformed the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which closed down 1.21%, and the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO), which fell by a similar amount.

Let’s find out what happened with the Sayona Mining share price today.

What’s going on with Sayona Mining?

There’s been no news out of Sayona Mining today. In fact, the last price-sensitive announcement by the company came on 4 August.

It stated it had restarted North American Lithium (NAL) production in Quebec, Canada, with the first spodumene concentrate production expected in the first quarter of next year. Sayona shares soared 10% on the back of that news and surged another 17% four days later.

The Sayona Mining share price was enjoying another day in the green earlier today before slipping towards the close, but it remained ahead of the broader market.

It also outperformed ASX lithium peer Lake Resources NL (ASX: LKE), which ended the day 2.89% lower.

However, it proved an even better day for some other ASX lithium stocks. The Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) share price closed 3.15% higher, while Allkem Ltd (ASX: AKE) shares gained 5.28%.

Global demand for lithium is soaring

These positive moves in the lithium sector came after Pilbara Minerals posted a very compelling earnings card for FY22 today. The company reported $1.2 billion of revenue, $814.5 million of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA), and $561.8 million of net profit after tax (NPAT).

More tellingly, for the rest of the market, Pilbara’s investors’ presentation contained the insight that a 1.8 million metric ton deficit for lithium is expected to be reached by 2040, with upside potential to spare.

In the markets, there’s a saying that “a rising tide lifts all boats,” meaning that an improved backdrop for the economy will help all those who contribute to it.

That could be part of the reason why Sayona Mining and some of its fellow ASX lithium stocks have outperformed today.

Sayona Mining share price snapshot

The Sayona Mining share price is up 96% year to date and 111% over the past year. It’s also up 45% over the past month.

Sayona Mining has a market capitalisation of $9.44 billion.

The post Why did the Sayona Mining share price beat the ASX All Ords on Tuesday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Why is the Sayona Mining share price surging 8% on Friday?
• Why is the Sayona Mining share price so volatile?
• Why are ASX lithium shares having such a cracking start to the week?
• Why is the Lake Resources share price up so much more than other ASX lithium shares today?
• Why has the Sayona Mining share price rocketed almost 100% in a month?

Motley Fool contributor Matthew Farley 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.

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Tuesday was another rough session for many S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares as the index traded in the red for a second consecutive day. The ASX 200 closed 1.21% lower at 6,961.8 points today.

That was despite a strong performance from S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) shares. The sector recorded a 1.3% gain on Tuesday after oil prices retreated slightly and ahead of earnings from Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR), set to be released tomorrow, and Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC), dropping on Thursday.

The Brent crude oil price fell 0.2% to US$96.48 a barrel overnight while the US Nymex crude oil price slipped 0.6% to US$90.23 a barrel.

On the other end of the market, the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) dumped 3.8%, weighed down by shares in drinks and hospitality company Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV). The company’s stock plummeted 12.3% on the back of its full-year earnings.

At the end of Tuesday’s session, two of the ASX 200’s 11 sectors were trading in the green.

But which share was crowned today’s best performer? Keep reading to find out.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Today’s best-performing ASX 200 share was Altium Limited (ASX: ALU). Stock in the software tech company gained around 20% following the release of monster financial year 2022 earnings. Find out more about the company, including how brokers responded to its earnings, here.

Today’s biggest gains were made by these ASX shares:

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Altium Limited (ASX: ALU)	$35.84	19.75%
Ansell Limited (ASX: ANN)	$27.30	8.59%
Allkem Ltd (ASX: AKE)	$13.16	5.28%
Adbri Ltd (ASX: ABC)	$2.31	4.52%
Pointsbet Holdings Ltd (ASX: PBH)	$3.22	3.21%
Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS)	$3.27	3.15%
West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF)	$1.33	3.1%
City Chic Collective Ltd (ASX: CCX)	$2.36	3.06%
Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC)	$7.75	2.79%
De Grey Mining Limited (ASX: DEG)	$0.93	2.76%

Our top 10 ASX 200 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.

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More reading

• Looking to buy Woolworths shares? Here’s what to watch in this week’s earnings results
• 3 ASX 200 shares breaking multi-year highs on Tuesday
• Why has the Chalice Mining share price dived 13% in the past week?
• Here are the 3 most heavily traded ASX 200 shares on Tuesday
• Why Altium, Ansell, Monadelphous, and Pilbara Minerals shares are charging higher

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper 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 Altium and Pointsbet Holdings Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Ansell Ltd. and Pointsbet Holdings Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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The BrainChip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN) share price closed lower on Tuesday despite no company announcements.

The artificial intelligence (AI) technology company’s shares finished the day down 4.48% to 96 cents each.

In comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) also closed lower by 1.21% to 6,961.8 points.

Let’s take a look at what may have been weighing on BrainChip shares today.

What’s happening to BrainChip shares on Tuesday?

Investors were offloading the BrainChip share price following a fall across the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX).

After the US-based tech-heavy Nasdaq shed 2.66 % overnight, the Aussie tech sector closed 0.87% lower today.

It appears that Wall Street’s summer rally is becoming a distant memory. It seems investor fears are re-surfacing about an aggressive rate hike by the US Federal Reserve.

All ears will be tuned in this Friday when Fed chair Jerome Powell speaks at the central bank’s annual Jackson Hole economic symposium.

While the Fed Reserve will look at keeping inflation under control, the pace of its monetary tightening policy will be the key question.

Ultimately, what happens at the two-day event will affect global markets.

On a different note, political tensions between the US and China over the Taiwan issue don’t seem to be cooling down just yet.

Earlier today, Taiwan said it would defend itself if attacked. This could draw in the US as both nations have a security partnership in place.

If conflict did break out, this would have massive ramifications for the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM). The company is the world’s most important chip developer and produces more than 90% of advanced chips globally.

This is no doubt a factor in why the US is hoping to maintain Taiwan’s status quo.

BrainChip share price snapshot

Despite falling 13% this week, the BrainChip share price has doubled in value over the last 12 months.

Year-to-date, the share is up 42%.

Based on today’s price, BrainChip commands a market capitalisation of around $1.66 billion.

The post Why did the BrainChip share price slump today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• When is ASX tech share BrainChip expected to become profitable?
• Why is the BrainChip share price sinking today?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Brainchip share price powers up another 5% on Thursday
• Why is the BrainChip share price bouncing 6% higher today?

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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.

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The Perenti Global Ltd (ASX: PRN) share price has closed higher on Tuesday after the company released its full-year FY22 results.

The Perenti share price opened slightly lower at 69.5 cents and finished the day at 71.5 cents, up 2.14%.

Perenti is a diversified global miner and mining services group headquartered in Perth, Western Australia.

Investors bidding up Perenti share price on ‘strong results’

The key metrics in the FY22 report are as follows:

• Underlying EBIT(A) exceeded the top end of the revised FY22 guidance range at $176.3 million, with 2H FY22 EBIT(A) 18% above 1H FY22
• Record underlying revenue in line with expectations at $2,438 million, up 21% on the prior corresponding period (pcp)
• Underlying EBITDA of $426.4 million, up 12% pcp
• Underlying NPAT(A) of $81.7 million, up 6% pcp
• Leverage of 1.3 times, outperforming expectations of an increase to approximately 1.5 times from 1.3 times pcp.

What else happened in FY22?

Perenti said it had “delivered strong FY22 financial and operational results, headlined by a significant step-up in 2H22 earnings, and continued improvement in leverage”.

Highlights in FY22 included divesting several non-core assets to free up $134.7 million of cash.

The miner also commenced an on-market share buyback program on 23 June. It intends to buy back up to 10% of the shares on issue.

It refinanced an existing $400 million revolving credit facility (RCF) to a $420 million syndicated debt facility. This was supported by an improved credit rating in FY22 from BB to BB+.

What did management say?

Managing director and CEO of Perenti Mark Norwell said:

Our strategic focus on maximising cashflow generation from our activities, effectively managing capital and driving operational performance, combined with the professionalism, dedication and resilience of our people, has enabled Perenti to deliver solid financial results for FY22, with a strong second half.

We have continued to re-shape our business and are positioned to create a blended portfolio of complementary services through three operating divisions.

This portfolio will be underpinned by our Contract Mining division, which remains our core business and is the source of our major growth projects with globally recognised and respected brands.

Combined with a streamlined corporate centre, Perenti is positioned to deliver a step-up in cash backed profits in FY23, with further improvements expected to drive earnings growth through to FY25 and beyond.

What’s next?

Perenti recently announced a 2025 strategy update. This included “a greater focus on total shareholder returns through improved project performance, disciplined capital management and a refined business and operating model”.

In FY23, Perenti said it “expects to generate meaningful returns on the capital invested within the latter stages of FY21 and throughout FY22”.

The company issued FY23 guidance of $2.4 billion to $2.5 billion in revenue. It also expects a 5% to 16% year-over-year increase in EBIT(A) to between $185 million and $205 million.

It also projects net capital expenditure of approximately $330 million in FY23, and leverage of approximately 1.2 times.

Perenti share price snapshot

The miner’s shares are down 22% year to date and 16% lower over the past 12 months.

The post Perenti share price jumps following ‘strong finish to FY22’ and guidance for FY23 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Looking to buy Woolworths shares? Here’s what to watch in this week’s earnings results
• 3 ASX 200 shares breaking multi-year highs on Tuesday
• Why did the Medibank share price just crack a new all-time high?
• The Bitcoin price is down today but these 2 cryptos just rocketed 17%
• Why has the Chalice Mining share price dived 13% in the past week?

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.

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The Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) share price will be under the microscope this week as the supermarket business releases its FY22 report on Thursday.

Plenty of S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares have already reported their results for the six or 12 months to 30 June 2022.

As one of Australia’s biggest companies, with a market capitalisation of $47 billion according to the ASX, Woolworths is an interesting business to consider.

What should investors pay attention to with Woolworths’ result?

Obviously, there will be a heavy focus on how much profit Woolworths makes.

Net profit: Every analyst will have different estimates on how much profit Woolworths is going to report for the 2022 financial year. On CMC Markets, Woolworths is predicted to generate earnings per share (EPS) of $1.20. That would put the current Woolworths share price at more than 31x FY22’s projected profit.

But, I think there are a number of other areas that investors should look at with Woolworths.

Inflation passed through to customers: How much inflation Woolworths saw in the fourth quarter and how much of a boost to sales this caused will be interesting to see. Woolworths’ comments about inflation expectations in FY23 could be particularly interesting and influential on investors’ thoughts.

Cost inflation: However, Woolworths also has one of the biggest workforces in Australia. So, it will be interesting to see how much the company’s wage bill has increased and if management makes any comments about that. Inflation won’t be a positive for Woolworths shares and earnings if its costs are going up strongly as well. The costs of the supply chain could also have increased.

Retail expansion: Woolworths has been making moves to diversify and grow its business through acquisitions. For example, it’s buying 80% of Mydeal.Com Au Ltd (ASX: MYD) with an offer that implied an enterprise value of $243 million. It also announced a $150 million deal to buy Shopper Media Group. It will be interesting to hear from Woolworths about its strategy with these acquisitions and whether it will be making further moves.

Trading update: There may be fears that the high rate of inflation means households reduce their spending in some areas. Will Woolworths’ trading update and outlook commentary show that households continue to spend at the supermarket?

Woolworths share price latest

The Woolworths share price is essentially flat over 2022 to date, despite the various impacts of inflation and rising interest rates on investor sentiment.

Some investors are negative on the company heading into the result. For example, Credit Suisse currently rates Woolworths as ‘underperform’ with a price target of $32.03. That implies a drop of around 15% over the next year.

In late afternoon trading on Tuesday, the Woolworths share price is down 2.5% at $38.055.

The post Looking to buy Woolworths shares? Here’s what to watch in this week’s earnings results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• 3 ASX 200 shares breaking multi-year highs on Tuesday
• Why has the Chalice Mining share price dived 13% in the past week?
• Here are the 3 most heavily traded ASX 200 shares on Tuesday
• Why is the Allkem share price acing it on Tuesday?
• Why is Lake Resources underperforming other ASX 200 lithium shares right now?

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.

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It’s been a pretty dire day for ASX shares and the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Tuesday. At the time of writing, the ASX 200 has lost a nasty 1.02% and is well back below 7,000 points.

But a falling tide doesn’t always lower all boats. In fact, three ASX 200 shares have comprehensively defied the market to post new, multi-year highs today. Let’s check ’em out.

Three ASX 200 shares hitting new highs on Tuesday

Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL)

ASX 200 healthcare share Medibank is our first tall poppy to take a look at this Tuesday. The health insurer has taken a turn for the worse this afternoon, and is now back in red territory, down 0.27% at $3.70 a share. However, earlier today had Medibank rise as high as $3.74 a share.

Not only is this a new 52-week high for the company, but it’s the highest Medibank shares have traded at since at least mid-2019. Investors seem to have liked what Medibank delivered in its FY22 earnings report last week.

Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC)

Next up is ASX 200 coal miner Whitehaven. Like Medibank, Whitehaven shares have done a good job at bucking the market today. Whitehaven shares are presently going for $7.73, up 2.52%. But the miner climbed as high as $7.81 a share this afternoon.

Yes, that is Whitehaven’s new 52-week high. But it also appears to be a record high for the company. The last time Whitehaven shares were even in this kind of range was way back in 2011. As my Fool colleague Bernd looked at yesterday, these share price highs have largely been fuelled by record coal prices.

New Hope Corporation Limited (ASX: NHC)

Another ASX 200 coal miner in New Hope Corporation is our final share to check out this Tuesday. Like Whitehaven, New Hope shares are burning hot today. The miner is presently trading at $5.12 a share. But this afternoon saw it rise as high as $5.17, the company’s new 52-week high.

This is not a record high for New Hope. But you have to go back to 2011 to find a higher share price. As one might expect, the same coal-price tailwinds driving Whitehaven are also at play with New Hope.

The post 3 ASX 200 shares breaking multi-year highs on Tuesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• Why did the Medibank share price just crack a new all-time high?
• Why has the Chalice Mining share price dived 13% in the past week?
• Here are the 3 most heavily traded ASX 200 shares on Tuesday
• Why is the Allkem share price acing it on Tuesday?
• Why is Lake Resources underperforming other ASX 200 lithium shares right now?

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 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.

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The Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) share price reached a new all-time high of $3.74 on Tuesday.

And while the private health insurer’s shares faded as the day went on, they are still up by a sizeable 8.5% since the start of the month.

Why is the Medibank share price at a record high?

Investors have been bidding the Medibank share price higher this month after it delivered a solid result for FY 2022.

For the 12 months ended 30 June, Medibank reported group revenue up 3.2% year over year to $7,128.5 million and segment operating profit up 11.9% to $638.1 million.

And while its net profit after tax fell due to a $24.8 million loss in net investment income, this didn’t stop the Medibank board from increasing its dividend.

What was the reaction?

One leading broker that was impressed was Citi.

In response to the release, the broker retained its buy rating and lifted its price target on the company’s shares to $4.00.

So, with the Medibank share price fetching $3.70 currently, Citi sees scope for it to rise a further 8%.

What did the broker say?

Citi was pleased with its performance and outlook. And while it acknowledges that the Medibank share price is not cheap, it sees reasonable value in it. The broker explained:

PHI performing well plus tailwind from investment yields Medibank’s PHI business is performing well and we forecast an outlook of largely stable margins paired with reasonable top line growth. Medibank Health is also targeted to grow profit at a rate of at least 15% and higher interest rates should provide a reasonable tailwind for investment income. This keeps us attracted to the Medibank story despite value being reasonable rather than cheap. Largely reflecting marking to market and allowing for higher yields as well as a little more PHI revenue growth, we lift EPS, FY23E: +6%; FY24E: +2%. We retain our Buy call lifting our target price to A$4.00.

The post Why did the Medibank share price just crack a new all-time high? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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More reading

• 3 ASX 200 shares breaking multi-year highs on Tuesday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Brokers name 2 ASX dividend shares to buy
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Medibank share price dips despite dividend boost

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.

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