Tag: Motley Fool

  • This lithium battery materials share is up 44% in two weeks, what’s going on?

    a woman smiles as she checks her phone in one hand with a takeaway coffee in the other as she charges her electric vehicle at a charging station.

    a woman smiles as she checks her phone in one hand with a takeaway coffee in the other as she charges her electric vehicle at a charging station.

    The Ecograf Ltd (ASX: EGR) share price had a sensational finish to the week.

    This lithium battery materials company’s shares ended the day almost 27% higher at 40.5 cents.

    This means the Ecograf share price is now up 44% in the space of two weeks.

    Why is the Ecograf share price rocketing higher?

    Investors appear to have been loading up on battery materials shares recently following some sharp declines in the previous months.

    For example, the Ecograf share price is still down 43% since the start of the year despite this recent resurgence.

    It has been a similar story for the Novonix share price. It is up 20% in the last couple of weeks but remains down 70% year to date.

    What is Ecograf?

    EcoGraf is in the process of building an integrated battery anode material business to produce high purity graphite products for the lithium-ion battery and advanced manufacturing markets.

    A recent quarterly update reveals that over US$30 million has been invested to date to create two highly attractive, development ready graphite businesses.

    The first new state-of-the-art EcoGraf processing facility in Western Australia will manufacture spherical graphite products for export to Asia, Europe and North America. It will provide customers with sustainably produced high performance battery anode material.

    Additional battery graphite processing facilities are in planning for Europe, Asia and North America to support the global transition to clean, renewable energy and the rapid growth in demand for battery materials.

    Judging by the Ecograf share price performance in recent weeks, it appears as though some investors believe the company is well-placed to benefit from the decarbonisation megatrend. Time will tell if that is the case.

    The post This lithium battery materials share is up 44% in two weeks, what’s going on? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* Scott just revealed what he believes could be the “five best ASX stocks” for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at near dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of July 7 2022

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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.

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  • Genex share price climbs 6% amid new takeover rumours

    an engineer in hard hat stands amid solar panels, part of a solar farm, as she holds a tablet in her hand and smiles.an engineer in hard hat stands amid solar panels, part of a solar farm, as she holds a tablet in her hand and smiles.

    The Genex Power Limited (ASX: GNX) share price closed higher on Friday as rumours circulate another bidder has taken an interest in the renewable energy company.

    Genex shares finished the day at 22 cents each, up 2.33%, after hitting 22.7 cents a share earlier today. That was a jump of 5.58%.

    The interest comes after the company knocked back a $300 million takeover proposal on Monday. 

    Let’s check the latest on Genex’s takeover prospects.

    A new suitor for Genex? 

    As reported by The Australian, an undisclosed group is “making inquiries around the market about launching a rival bid for the business”.

    The group is said to be “not private equity” and a company that operates in Australia.

    The speculated names include Sundance Energy Australia Ltd (ASX: SEA), Alinta Energy, and other companies with energy assets on Australia’s east coast.

    On Monday, Genex rejected an unsolicited acquisition attempt from a group consisting of Atlassian co-founder and co-CEO Scott Farquhar’s Skip Capital and Stonepeak Partners. The bid offered 23 cents per share for the company.

    Genex power’s board of directors said the offer undervalued the company but it was open to a counter-offer with a revised amount.

    Share price snapshot

    The Genex share price is up more than 11% year to date, gaining a remarkable 85% in the last month.

    Despite the recent action though, the company’s share price is still 5% lower than it was this time last year.

    The company has a current market capitalisation of $308 million.

    The post Genex share price climbs 6% amid new takeover rumours appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* Scott just revealed what he believes could be the “five best ASX stocks” for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at near dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of July 7 2022

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    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 positions in and has recommended Atlassian. 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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  • Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

    A white and black clock with the words Time to Buy in blue lettering representing the views of two experts who say it's time to buy these ASX shares

    A white and black clock with the words Time to Buy in blue lettering representing the views of two experts who say it's time to buy these ASX shares

    It has been another busy week for Australia’s top brokers. This has led to the release of a large 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:

    Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD) 

    According to a note out of Goldman Sachs, its analysts have retained their conviction buy rating and $21.00 price target on the agribusiness company’s shares. Goldman believes that recent weakness in the Elders share price has created a buying opportunity for investors. Particularly given the long term structural growth opportunities still in front of the company. The Elders share price is trading at $12.01 on Friday.

    Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN)

    A note out of UBS reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating and $6.55 price target on this airline operator’s shares. UBS notes that recession fears have been weighing heavily on the Qantas share price. However, the broker believes that if the economy avoids a recession and has a soft landing instead, then compelling value will be found in its shares. The Qantas share price is fetching $4.63 today.

    ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

    Analysts at Macquarie have retained their outperform rating and lifted their price target on this sleep treatment company’s shares to $38.70. According to the note, the broker suspects that consensus estimates could be too low in the coming years if industry device volume growth improves as it expects. In addition, Macquarie sees an opportunity for ResMed to continue to increase its market share following the Philips recall. The ResMed share price is trading at $34.45 this afternoon.

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

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

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* Scott just revealed what he believes could be the “five best ASX stocks” for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at near dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of July 7 2022

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ResMed Inc. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed Inc. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elders Limited. 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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  • Why has the Macquarie share price had such a lacklustre start to August?

    Young woman using computer laptop with hand on chin thinking about question, pensive expression.Young woman using computer laptop with hand on chin thinking about question, pensive expression.

    The Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) share price is down 2.6% this week but up 4.6% over the past month. So, why the lacklustre start to August?

    Did the interest rate rise have an impact?

    The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) is up 0.66% over the past five days. The big news of the week was the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) lifting interest rates for a fourth consecutive month.

    The RBA Board lifted the rate by 50 basis points. This was the third rise of this size in consecutive months to take the cash rate to 1.85%. On the day of the rate rise, the Macquarie share price lost 0.46%.

    The RBA is raising rates to help bring inflation down. Inflation is currently running at 6.1% per year.

    As my colleague Bernd reported this week, higher rates mean larger net interest margins (NIMs) for the banks. This means they can simply charge more interest on their variable loans.

    But higher rates can also lead to more bad debts, along with fewer new mortgages as the property market cools.

    Looking at the share price performance of the big four, we see a mixed bag of results alongside Macquarie this week.

    Since the market close on Friday 29 July, there’s been a 1.9% gain for Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares got an 0.8% bump.

    National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares gained 0.65%. Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares dipped 0.26%.

    Of the ASX 200 bank shares, JP Morgan reckons CBA is “most leveraged to a rising cash rate”, enabling it to squeeze the most out of increased NIMs as rates go higher.

    Why has the Macquarie share price dipped this week?

    Perhaps a broker note from Goldman Sachs last Friday has taken some wind out of Macquarie’s sails.

    As my Fool colleague James reported, its analysts retained a neutral rating on Macquarie. They also trimmed their price target on Macquarie shares to $194.03.

    This is despite them being pleased with Macquarie’s performance during the first quarter.

    Goldman commented:

    MQG 1Q23 performance was solid, which despite difficult conditions, was up on a strong pcp with annuity style businesses up significantly and capital markets facing businesses up slightly.

    That said, management noted conditions did soften during the quarter and did update its divisional guidance, which implied broadly consistent Group NPAT to our previous forecasts.

    While it believes Macquarie’s growth outlook is strong, Goldman expects the bank to report a decline in profits in FY23.

    They say the Macquarie share price is at a premium to long-term averages, hence the neutral rating.

    Other brokers are bullish. James also reports that Morgans has an add rating on Macquarie shares with a price target of $215.

    Morgans likes Macquarie because of its exposure to long-term structural growth areas. The broker also thinks Macquarie’s trading businesses are well-placed to profit in the current volatile markets.

    Morgans explained:

    We continue to like MQG’s exposure to long-term structural growth areas such as infrastructure and renewables. The company also stands to benefit from recent market volatility through its trading businesses, while the company continues to gain market share in Australian mortgages.

    The Macquarie share price is down 16.5% in the year to date.

    The post Why has the Macquarie share price had such a lacklustre start to August? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* Scott just revealed what he believes could be the “five best ASX stocks” for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at near dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of July 7 2022

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    JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Macquarie Group Limited, and Westpac Banking Corporation. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group Limited and Westpac Banking Corporation. 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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  • Can Westpac shares deliver a competitive dividend yield and 20% upside in FY23?

    An attractive woman sits at her computer with her chin resting on her hand as she contemplates the WAM Alternative Assets listed investment company as a potential investmentAn attractive woman sits at her computer with her chin resting on her hand as she contemplates the WAM Alternative Assets listed investment company as a potential investment

    It’s been a busy week for the Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) share price amid the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA’s) decision to hike the nation’s cash rate by another 50 basis points.

    Luckily, one top broker is still expecting big things from the bank. Indeed, it’s been tipped to gain anther 19%.

    At the time of writing, the Westpac share price is $21.94. That’s nearly 2% higher than it ended last week.

    For comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has lifted 0.9% so far this week while the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) has gained just 0.7%.

    So, what’s been going on with the banking giant and why are experts bullish on its future? Let’s take a look.

    Is the Westpac share price set to surge 19%?

    The Westpac share price has been on the up and up this week despite Australia’s interest rate being hiked to 1.85% on Tuesday.

    The RBA made the decision to up the offical cash rate for a fourth consecutive month in a continuing effort to battle inflation.

    Such moves spell both good and bad news for ASX 200 banks. It means they can reprice their loans and, as a result, increase their net interest margins (generally resulting in higher profits). However, it can also drag on housing prices and increases the risk of mortgage foreclosures.

    Westpac followed the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)’s lead yesterday, upping interest rates on its home loans and deposits by the full 50 basis points.

    But, despite this year’s cacophony of interest rate news, one broker is still notably bullish on Westpac.

    Goldman Sachs has slapped Westpac shares with a $26.12 price target and a ‘conviction buy’ rating, as my Fool colleague James reports.

    The broker is also tipping the bank to pay out $1.23 of dividends in financial year 2022 and $1.35 in financial year 2023.

    That represents dividend yields of 5.6% and 6.2% respectively on its current share price or 4.7% and 5.2% on the broker’s targeted price.

    The post Can Westpac shares deliver a competitive dividend yield and 20% upside in FY23? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Westpac Banking Corp right now?

    Before you consider Westpac Banking Corp, you’ll want to hear this.

    Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Westpac Banking Corp 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 are better buys.

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of July 7 2022

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    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 Goldman Sachs. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Westpac Banking Corporation. 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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  • Here are the 3 most heavily traded ASX 200 shares on Friday

    Arrows pointing upwards with a man pointing his finger at one.

    Arrows pointing upwards with a man pointing his finger at one.

    TGIF! The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has seen fit to give investors a happy end to the trading week, at least so far. At the time of writing, the ASX 200 has risen by a healthy 0.52% and is back above the 7,010 point mark.

    But let’s delve deeper into these gains and check out the ASX 200 shares currently at the top of the market’s trading volume charts, according to investing.com.

    The 3 most traded ASX 200 shares by volume this Friday

    Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN)

    Our first ASX 200 share today is making a rare guest appearance on this list. Gold miner Evolution has had a sizeable 12.48 million shares change owners so far this Friday.

    There’s been no news or announcements out of the company itself. Thus, we can probably lay the blame for this volume on the movements of the miner’s shares themselves.

    Fortunately for investors, Evolution has had a cracking day, currently up a pleasing 2.83% at $2.72 a share.

    Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO)

    Next up this Friday is lithium stock Core Lithium. So far, a hefty 14.56 million Core Lithium shares have bounced around the markets. This one’s not too hard to figure out. The Core Lithium share price is rocketing more than 7% so far this Friday to $1.30 a share.

    This follows the announcement that the company has named its first CEO in Gareth Manderson, formerly of mining giant Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO).

    Investors are clearly very approving of this appointment, which explains the elevated volumes we are witnessing.

    Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS)

    Our third, final and most traded share today is another ASX 200 lithium stock in Pilbara Minerals. This Friday has seen a notable 16.68 million Pilbara shares swap hands as it currently stands. We haven’t heard anything of note out of Pilbara either today.

    But that hasn’t stopped the Pilbara share price from gaining an eye-catching 3.43% to $2.86 a share today. This has possibly been spurred by the buying action we are also seeing in its stablemate Core Lithium.

    It’s likely that it is this strong price rise that has prompted Pilbara to top today’s volume charts.

    The post Here are the 3 most heavily traded ASX 200 shares on Friday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* Scott just revealed what he believes could be the “five best ASX stocks” for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at near dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of July 7 2022

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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 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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  • Why Core Lithium, European Lithium, Incannex, and Qantas shares are pushing higher

    A couple are shocked and elated at the good news they've just seen on their devices.

    A couple are shocked and elated at the good news they've just seen on their devices.

    In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to end the week on a high. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up 0.5% to 7,010.7 points.

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

    Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO)

    The Core Lithium share price is up over 6% to $1.29. This morning this lithium developer announced the appointment of its new CEO. According to the release, former Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) senior leader Gareth Manderson will take the helm on Monday. Manderson has 28 years of experience in the mining and minerals sector.

    European Lithium Ltd (ASX: EUR)

    The European Lithium share price is up 8% to 8.85 cents. Investors have been buying this lithium explorer’s shares after it announced an agreement with BMW. According to the release, the two parties have entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding for European Lithium’s first offtake of battery grade lithium hydroxide.

    Incannex Healthcare Ltd (ASX: IHL)

    The Incannex Healthcare share price is up 22% to 27.5 cents. Management notes that this acquisition adds 22 clinical and pre-clinical research and development projects to the Incannex pipeline. It rather ambitiously estimates that these projects represent aggregate addressable markets of approximately US$400 billion per annum.

    Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN)

    The Qantas share price is up 2% to $4.65. This may have been driven by a broker note out of UBS this morning. According to the note, the broker has reiterated its buy rating and $6.55 price target on the airline operator’s shares. Its analysts believe that recent weakness has created a compelling buying opportunity for investors.

    The post Why Core Lithium, European Lithium, Incannex, and Qantas shares are pushing higher appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* Scott just revealed what he believes could be the “five best ASX stocks” for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at near dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of July 7 2022

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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.

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  • Medibank shares are currently trading on a 4% dividend yield. How does this compare to NIB?

    Stethoscope with a piggy bank and hundred dollar notes.

    Stethoscope with a piggy bank and hundred dollar notes.

    Ever since the Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) share price was first listed on the ASX boards back in 2014, the company has made a name for itself as a strong and consistent dividend payer.

    Medibank use to be a government-owned company. But this changed when it was privatised in 2014 and subsequently listed on the ASX. Today, Medibank competes on a level playing field as a private company against its rivals in the health insurance business.

    So on the surface, Medibank has built itself quite an impressive track record as an ASX dividend share. It began paying dividends to shareholders right off the bat in 2015 and increased its annual dividend payments every single year between 2015 and 2019. 2019 saw the company’s payouts peak at 15.6 cents per share.

    But the pandemic has had an impact on this track record, and in 2020 Medibank cut its dividend for the first time. It doled out a total of 12 cents per share in 2020 and only slightly raised this in 2021 to 12.7 cents per share.

    In 2022 thus far, Medibank has paid an interim dividend of 6.1 cents per share, fully franked. That was an increase on 2021’s interim payment of 5.8 cents per share, but not quite as high as the company’s last final dividend. That was a payment of 6.9 cents per share, also fully franked, that investors received back in September last year.

    So this means that Medibank’s last two dividends were the interim dividend of 6.1 cents from March and the final dividend of 6.9 cents from last year.

    Together, that’s an annual trailing dividend of 13 cents per share. On the current Medibank share price of $3.46 (at the time of writing), this gives the company a trailing yield of 3.76%.

    How does the Medibank dividend stack up?

    So how does this yield compare to Medibank’s largest ASX-listed rival NIB Holdings Limited (ASX: NHF)? NIB’s dividends have followed a similar upward trajectory over the past few years (including a 2020 dip).

    The company’s last two dividend payments were an interim dividend of 11 cents per share, fully franked, from March. As well as the final dividend of 14 cents per share, also fully franked, that investors received last year.

    Together, these two payments give NIB shares a trailing dividend yield of 3.43% on current pricing.

    So we have Medibank with a 3.76% yield, and NIB with a yield of 3.43%. So clearly Medibank comes out on top in the dividend stakes today. Interestingly, Medibank trades at a higher price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio than NIB today.

    Medibank’s current P/E ratio is 22.03, which is higher than NIB’s current ratio of 18.94. If both companies commanded the same P/E, the gap between both companies’ dividend yields would be even greater.

    Something to consider for any income investor evaluating the Medibank share price today.

    The post Medibank shares are currently trading on a 4% dividend yield. How does this compare to NIB? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    *Returns as of July 7 2022

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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended NIB Holdings Limited. 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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  • Why did the Arafura share price plunge 19% today?

    a mine worker holds his phone in one hand and a tablet in the other as he stands in front of heavy machinery at a mine site.a mine worker holds his phone in one hand and a tablet in the other as he stands in front of heavy machinery at a mine site.

    The Arafura Resources Limited (ASX: ARU) share price crashed after the company emerged from a trading halt this morning. 

    The mineral explorer’s shares are currently trading for 27.5 cents a share, down 14.06%. Earlier today, they hit an intraday low of 26 cents a share — an 18.75% fall.

    The selloff puts the company’s losses for the week at more than 21%.

    Arafura also announced the details of a capital raise this morning. Let’s check the details.

    What did Arafura Resources announce? 

    Arafura Resources shares were frozen on Wednesday 3 August pending its capital raising announcement. Today the company announced a $41.5 million placement of 156.7 million new fully paid ordinary shares.

    Shares will sell for $0.265 each at a discount of 17.2% to the closing price on 2 August. They’ll be available on or around 12 August.

    In addition to the new issue, the company will also allow investors to purchase new free attaching stock options. The total value of options proposed is $78.4 million with an issuance date of 25 August.

    The new options will have an exercise price of $0.34 with an expiry date 18 months from the date of issue. The company is offering one free attaching option for every two new shares purchased. Arafura Resources intends to lodge a prospectus with ASIC for the options on or around 22 August.

    What the funds will be used for?

    Arafura Resources said it will use the funds to increase the company’s capacity to secure neodymium oxide as part of its Nolans project. Neodymium oxide is a rare earth material used in the production of motors for electric vehicles as well as other applications.

    The capital will also help speed up progress in completing the Nolans project. Some activities include launching the tendering for new construction contracts and for front-end engineering, as well as for general working capital purposes.

    Share price snapshot

    Despite this week’s slump, the Arafura Resources share price is up 34% year to date and 109% over the last 12 months.

    That’s well above the S&P/ASX 200 Index‘s loss of 6% so far in 2022 and a 7% loss in the past year.

    The company has a current market capitalisation of around $443 million.

    The post Why did the Arafura share price plunge 19% today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

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    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of July 7 2022

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    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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  • Why Amcor, Arafura, Block, and Janus Henderson shares are dropping

    A woman with a sad face looks to be receiving bad news on her phone as she holds it in her hands and looks down at it.

    A woman with a sad face looks to be receiving bad news on her phone as she holds it in her hands and looks down at it.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on track to end the week with a solid gain. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is up 0.45% to 7,006.8 points.

    Four ASX shares that have failed to follow the market higher today are listed below. Here’s why they are dropping:

    Amcor (ASX: AMC)

    The Amcor share price is down almost 3% to $17.80. This appears to have been driven by a broker note out of Morgan Stanley this morning. According to the note, the broker has downgraded the packaging company’s shares to an equal-weight rating from overweight. Morgan Stanley has concerns about Amcor’s outlook.

    Arafura Resources Limited (ASX: ARU)

    The Arafura share price is down 14% to 27.5 cents. This morning this rare earths company announced that it has received firm commitments to raise $41.5 million via a placement. These funds are being raised at 26.5 cents per new share, which represents a 17% discount to its last close price. Proceeds will be used to progress the development of the Nolans Project.

    Block Inc (ASX: SQ2)

    The Block share price is down 6% to $118.48. Investors have been selling this payments company’s shares after its second quarter update disappointed. Although Block delivered a result largely in line with the market’s expectations, its guidance appears to have underwhelmed investors. The company is expecting its growth to moderate early in the third quarter.

    Janus Henderson Group (ASX: JHG)

    The Janus Henderson share price is down 3% to $35.35. This morning this fund manager’s shares traded ex-dividend for its latest distribution. Eligible shareholders can now look forward to receiving its 55.8 cents per share quarterly unfranked dividend later this month on 24 August.

    The post Why Amcor, Arafura, Block, and Janus Henderson shares are dropping appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

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    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of July 7 2022

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Block, Inc. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Amcor Limited and Block, Inc. 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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