Tag: Motley Fool

  • Credit Corp share price drops 15% as core debt buying market flounders

    a man sitting at a computer at a desk has a look of anguish and trepidation on his face as he opens his eyes wide and made an aargh type expression with his mouth as his hair stands on end and his tie also stands on end with one part over each shoulder in what is supposed to be a humorous picture of something in a panic.

    a man sitting at a computer at a desk has a look of anguish and trepidation on his face as he opens his eyes wide and made an aargh type expression with his mouth as his hair stands on end and his tie also stands on end with one part over each shoulder in what is supposed to be a humorous picture of something in a panic.The Credit Corp Group Ltd (ASX: CCP) share price is falling sharply in morning trade, down 15%.

    Credit Corp shares closed yesterday trading for $24.32 and are currently trading for $20.68.

    This comes following the release of the debt-focused financial services company’s results for the 2022 financial year (FY2022).

    What happened in FY2022?

    • Net profit after tax (NPAT) of $96.2 million, up 9% from FY2021
    • United States segment NPAT increased by 16%
    • Record annual investment, with US purchased debt ledger (PDL) outlays 80% above previous highs reached in FY2020 and gross lending volume 24% above previous record from FY2019
    • Record gross lending volume of $267 million for the year
    • Declared a final dividend of 36 cents per share, fully franked, bringing the full FY22 payout ratio to 52%

    What else happened during the 2022 financial year?

    The Credit Corp share price could be taking a hit today after the company noted that while its US PDL investment accelerated in the last quarter of the financial year, the company faced headwinds from a tight labour market in the US.

    To address the labour shortfall the company has begun hiring remote workers outside of the US and reported that 100 experienced collectors out of the Philippines have commenced contacting its US customers.

    Despite the tight labour conditions, Credit Corp sees significant potential for growth in the US markets.

    FY22 also saw the company relaunch its auto loan offering, with that component of its gross loan book doubling over the year to $34 million. It also launched pilot programs into buy now, pay later (BNPL) and US lending.

    The company said PDL supply in its core AUS/NZ debt buying market did not recover, which could also be dragging on the Credit Corp share price today.

    What did management say?

    Commenting on the growth potential in the US markets, Thomas Beregi, Credit Corp CEO said:

    Market volumes have stepped up in recent months and further increases are expected during FY2023. As resource constraints are addressed, this segment will support consistent annual investment of more than AU$200 million and be capable of producing medium-term earnings similar to those of the AUS/NZ operation

    Addressing the company’s pilots in BNPL and US lending, Beregi added, “While the successful Wallet Wizard branded cash loan product has achieved significant share of its segment other products target alternative segments and points of distribution.”

    What’s next?

    The Credit Corp share price is likely sliding today in part from the company’s outlook.

    Looking ahead, it stated:

    Leading indicators do not suggest a significant recovery in AUS/NZ regular direct-from-issuer PDL sale volumes and US resourcing constraints will not be overcome immediately. In FY2023 growth in US segment earnings is not expected to offset the impact of run-off in the AUS/NZ debt buying business.

    Credit Corp also stated it expects its regular investment to moderate from the record levels reached in FY2022.

    The company offered the following guidance for FY2023:

    • PDL acquisitions $220 million to $260 million
    • Net lending volumes $50 million to $60 million
    • NPAT $90 million to $97 million
    • Earnings per share (EPS) 133 cents to 143 cents per share (cps)

    Credit Corp share price snapshot

    With today’s big fall factored in, the Credit Corp share price is down 28% over the past 12 months. That compares to a full year loss of 7% posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

    The post Credit Corp share price drops 15% as core debt buying market flounders appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Credit Corp Group Limited right now?

    Before you consider Credit Corp Group Limited, 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 Credit Corp Group Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of July 7 2022

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    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.

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  • What’s going on with the CSL share price on Tuesday?

    Happy healthcare workers in a labsHappy healthcare workers in a labs

    The CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) share price is edging lower in early trading amid the company’s latest update on its Vifor acquisition.

    At the time of writing, shares in the global biotech are down slightly by 0.27% to $294.10.

    Meantime, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is also hovering 0.36% lower to 6,967.6 points.

    What did CSL announce to the ASX?

    In its announcement, CSL advised it has received all regulatory clearances to finalise the acquisition of Vifor Pharma, effective today.

    This comes after the lengthy delay earlier this year regarding the foreign direct investment and regulatory filings.

    Nonetheless, with all conditions now met, the takeover of the global specialty pharmaceuticals company will take place by 9 August.

    CSL expects to hold more than 97% of Vifor shares upon completion and will seek to cancel the remaining 3%. This will be in accordance with Swiss takeover rules, with CSL also applying for the delisting of these shares on the Swiss Exchange (SIX).

    CSL CEO and managing director Paul Perreault commented:

    We are excited to complete the acquisition of Vifor Pharma — enhancing CSL’s well-established patient focus and ability to protect the health of those facing a range of rare and serious medical conditions.

    Perreault went on to add:

    Joining CSL, the Vifor business adds near-term value along with a clear path to long-term sustainable growth. It also adds an outstanding management team, along with a high-value and complementary portfolio of products and market leading position in the nephrology and iron deficiency spaces.

    Investors may want to keep an eye out on 17 October as CSL will hold a dedicated Vifor market briefing. Management will discuss Vifor’s growth strategy and insights into its product portfolio and financials.

    CSL appoints general manager for Vifor

    In other news, CSL has appointed Hervé Gisserot as general manager for the Vifor business once the acquisition is finalised.

    Reporting directly to Perreault, the appointment of Gisserot should be a smooth transition given his credentials and current position.

    Since January 2022, Gisserot has been the chief commercial officer for Vifor Pharma.

    Previously, he spent 13 years at GlaxoSmithKline fulfilling multiple senior vice president (SVP) titles. This includes the most recent, SVP & Head of Pharmaceuticals & Vaccines for Greater China & Intercontinental.

    CSL share price snapshot

    Despite the recent market volatility, the CSL share price has outperformed the market to surge almost 10% in a month.

    For context, the benchmark ASX 200 index has lifted around 7% over the same time frame.

    CSL is the third largest company on the ASX with a market capitalisation of roughly $142 billion.

    The post What’s going on with the CSL share price on Tuesday? 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 Aaron Teboneras 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 CSL Ltd. 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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  • Warren Buffett has 10% of Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio in this recession-resistant sector

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    A mature age woman with a groovy short haircut and glasses, sits at her computer, pen in hand thinking about information she is seeing on the screen.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    To repurpose an old television commercial: When Warren Buffett talks, people listen. Buffett is one of the world’s richest billionaires and most successful investors. Much of the investment community follows his every move, looking to bring some of the Buffett magic into their own portfolios.

    Buffett’s moves are particularly interesting as the U.S. faces inflation plus fears of recession. Investors generally want safety in uncertain times. And Buffett, who’s seen many flavors of recession, could shed light on where to find that safety.

    But Buffett doesn’t buy and sell stocks based on what’s happening with the economy. He’s an all-weather investor — choosing stocks that can survive all economic climates. That may be why he has 10% of Berkshire Hathaway‘s portfolio invested in consumer staples, a sector that’s known for being recession-resistant.

    Consumer staples defined

    Consumer staples are essential food, beverage, household, and personal products. Examples are soda, eggs, milk, toothpaste, and detergents.

    Consumer staples companies include retailers and manufacturers of these products. On the retail side, you have Dollar General (NYSE: DG), Walmart (NYSE: WMT), Costco (NASDAQ: COST), and their competitors. Consumer staples manufacturers include Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), and Kimberly Clark (NYSE: KMB).

    Why consumer staples stocks are recession-resistant

    A look at your own buying habits can demonstrate why consumer staples stocks don’t tank in recessions. With inflation running hot, where have you cut back to make ends meet? You’re probably spending less on things like electronics and designer clothes. You may have even canceled a streaming service or two.

    But you are still buying toilet paper, deodorant, and bread, even as the prices on these goods rise. On top of that, you may have shifted some shopping to discount retailers like Walmart, in lieu of your more expensive local market.

    Here’s what it comes down to. People keep buying their staples. Demand for these essential goods doesn’t drop off when the economy goes sideways.

    Buffett’s consumer staples stocks

    Berkshire Hathaway owns five consumer staples stocks:

    1. Coca-Cola
    2. Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ: KHC)
    3. Kroger (NYSE: KR)
    4. Mondelez International (NASDAQ: MDLZ)
    5. Procter & Gamble

    Where to find consumer staples stocks for your portfolio

    Buffett’s consumer staples portfolio is interesting, but you don’t want to run out and copy it. Even Buffett himself would tell you: A better approach is to invest in what you know — specifically, the products, brands, and retailers that are essential to you.

    This is easy to figure out, too. Look at your last grocery receipt. Cross off everything that’s nonessential and see what’s left. Or peek into your pantry and bathroom cabinets. Note the brands you buy repeatedly. It could be Colgate or Charmin, for example. If you see mostly generic goods, then where are you buying them?

    You could also think back to the products that kept selling out during the Great Lockdown of 2020. (In my community, it was toilet paper, disinfectants, and chicken.) People stockpile the stuff they can’t live without. And many of these staples are made or sold by public companies.

    Spend a few minutes on this exercise, and it could reveal six or more recession-resistant stocks to consider for your own portfolio.

    Recession defense, the Buffett way

    Many investors use consumer staples stocks as a defensive strategy against recession. To follow Buffett’s approach, though, you’d invest in defensive stocks you’re willing to hold for decades. That’s different from owning shares of Coke or Walmart temporarily because financial pundits are predicting recession.

    In other words, play defense consistently. Manage to a risk level you can handle in all investing climates. Buffett has 10% exposure to consumer staples, for example, but you might prefer 5% or 15%. Whatever your number is, stick with it. That way, you won’t be scrambling to adjust to every market shift. 

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    The post Warren Buffett has 10% of Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio in this recession-resistant sector 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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    Catherine Brock has positions in Coca-Cola, Dollar General, and Procter & Gamble. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), Costco Wholesale, and Walmart Inc. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Kraft Heinz and has recommended the following options: long January 2023 $200 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), long January 2024 $47.50 calls on Coca-Cola, short January 2023 $200 puts on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), and short January 2023 $265 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares). The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Berkshire Hathaway (B shares). The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

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  • Why the Tesla share price jumped on Monday

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    blue tesla

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    What happened

    Several items of news came out of the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) sector today. The result has been a jump in the shares of stocks with a stake there. That has Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) shares up 1.9% as of 11:40 a.m. ET. And the stocks of Nio (NYSE: NIO) and Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI) were higher by 3.5% and 5.1%, respectively, at that time. 

    So what

    Many recent updates from China’s EV sector have been associated with COVID-19-related lockdowns and supply chain issues that have negatively impacted vehicle production. Today, however, there were some signs of a turnaround on that front. Tesla’s company-specific news was of battery-material supply deals the company has inked, as reported by Barron’s. At the same time, July delivery data out of domestic producers Nio, Li, and XPeng (NYSE: XPEV) indicate the market is rebounding there. That’s also good news for Tesla, as its Shanghai plant is a major factor in its growth plans. 

    Now what

    Nio, Li, and XPeng reported a combined 31,998 for July vehicle deliveries. While it represented a drop from June, that was expected after the companies pushed out vehicles in June that had been delayed in April and May. July deliveries for Nio and Li rose a respective 26.7% and 21.3% year over year, however. And Xpeng notched a 43% year-over-year increase. That’s good news for Tesla, too, which lags these domestic names when it comes to monthly delivery data. 

    Tesla appears to be setting itself up for further increases in production. That’s not surprising since the company expects overall annual production growth of about 50% for several more years. But investors weren’t sure how it could achieve that in an environment of supply challenges. Tesla seems to have answered some of those concerns from the deals being reported with two Chinese suppliers of battery materials.

    This includes a deal with a processor of cobalt and other metals, and another that supplies lithium cathode material to battery makers. Both deals reportedly run through 2025. Tesla recently boosted production capacity at its Shanghai facility, and the company also needs to supply its two new facilities in Germany and Texas once they have ramped production to capacity. 

    While Nio, Li Auto, and XPeng are all competitors, solid delivery numbers from them bode well for what Tesla will report as well. But Tesla also can’t sleep on the competition. Nio plans to open its first overseas plant this fall, according to Reuters. The plant in Hungary will focus on power products such as battery-swapping stations for the European market. Nio has plans to expand sales throughout Europe this year and beyond. 

    Investors are seeing all of today’s news as beneficial to the industry as a whole in the short term. That’s helping these names pop today. The overall EV sector is still in very early stages of growth. That should lead to more than just one winner over the long haul. 

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    The post Why the Tesla share price jumped on Monday 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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    Howard Smith has positions in Nio Inc. and XPeng Inc. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Nio Inc. and Tesla. 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. 

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

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  • ‘Outlook is bright’: Expert names ASX share to buy for long-term fortunes

    A woman standing on the street looks through binoculars.A woman standing on the street looks through binoculars.

    It might be counterintuitive, but sometimes investors might be best served to ignore an earnings downgrade.

    That’s because if the business is still in a position to take off in the long run, a one-off downgrade may not matter that much.

    In fact, it might even present a juicy buying opportunity as skittish shareholders sell off their holdings and bring the price down.

    Fortunately for us, Red Leaf Securities chief executive John Athanasiou reckons he’s found an ASX share that’s just in that situation.

    ‘A dominant position in an industry with high barriers to entry’

    The share price for Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY) has dropped almost 17% since 21 April.

    The movement down wasn’t helped by an update to the market in May.

    “The company downgraded earnings due to floods and higher fuel and labour costs,” Athanasiou told The Bull.

    But this is a temporary hiccup, and the analyst feels like the structural advantages for Cleanaway are still in play.

    “The waste management company has a dominant position in an industry with high barriers to entry,” said Athanasiou.

    “The bulk of the company’s revenues are generated from recurring multi-year contracts.”

    Athanasiou would buy the stock now for holding over an extended period.

    “Despite a lag in cost recoveries, Cleanaway’s longer term outlook is bright.”

    Cleanaway is scheduled to report its preliminary numbers on 19 August.

    Recurring revenues with pricing power to fight inflation

    Back in June, Wilsons head of investment strategy David Cassidy also spruiked Cleanaway’s long-term potential, calling it a “quality” ASX share with inflation protection.

    “The majority of Cleanaway’s revenue is contracted and therefore recurring,” he said at the time.

    “Multi-year contracts provide steady volumes and recurring revenues and include appropriate price adjustment mechanisms.”

    The wider analyst community is somewhat divided over the waste management provider.

    According to CMC Markets, seven out of 14 analysts currently recommend Cleanaway shares as a buy, with five rating it as a hold.

    The post ‘Outlook is bright’: Expert names ASX share to buy for long-term fortunes 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 Tony Yoo 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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  • Is the Telstra share price on the way back up?

    A man wearing a colourful shirt holds an old fashioned phone ear piece to his ear with a look of curiosity on his face as though he is pondering the answer to a question.A man wearing a colourful shirt holds an old fashioned phone ear piece to his ear with a look of curiosity on his face as though he is pondering the answer to a question.

    The Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) share price has experienced quite a bit of volatility in 2022, just like many ASX shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

    In the year to date, the Telstra share price has fallen 5.9%. It closed yesterday’s session at $3.97.

    However, there are signs that Telstra could start to generate earnings growth in the next few years. And that could do good things for the share price.

    What’s next for the Telstra share price?

    For starters, the telco has itself provided guidance that it’s expecting to deliver profit growth in the next couple of years.

    But, one interesting line of thought relates to the NBN. There is also potential opportunity when it comes to home broadband.

    Let’s look at what one expert, David Cassidy from Wilsons, has said about the situation in an article on Livewire.

    NBN difficulties

    Cassidy noted Telstra’s net profit after tax (NPAT) has been “plagued” by headwinds created by the NBN over the past decade.

    He pointed out that the Telstra share price started hurting in 2015. This was mainly because of the impact of the Federal Government’s NBN rollout, which damaged revenue.

    Telstra is not the dominant provider of wholesale fixed-line networks in Australia anymore. The NBN has steadily replaced Telstra’s legacy fixed-line copper wire network. Telstra’s earnings lost out as customers transitioned to NBN broadband services.

    Telstra is now just a retail provider that re-sells NBN access. Cassidy said that Telstra has to compete with other service providers on a “level playing field”.

    There has also been a “significant increase” in costs in providing fixed broadband services for Telstra and competitors, hurting margins. Intense competition and aggressive price cutting have hurt operator margins.

    The expert noted that these impacts can be seen in the heavy decline in Telstra’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) from FY17 to FY21.

    In parallel, the Telstra share price has fallen by 2.5% over the past five years to date.

    Turning point?

    The NBN rollout is “effectively complete”, meaning that there aren’t really any more customers to lose. In other words, “the ongoing drag from the migration of its legacy network is all but over”.

    While the hole of the lost home broadband revenue/earnings is still there, Cassidy suggested that earnings “will likely” have bottomed in FY22, establishing a new base to grow from.

    Telstra is “entering into an earnings per share (EPS) upgrade cycle, with analysts increasing their earnings forecasts in a sustained manner for the first time in years.”

    The Telstra 5G network could be a key driver of the business. Not only can it continue its leadership in the sector, but a strong 5G network could allow Telstra to offer wireless broadband, meaning 5G-powered home broadband. This would enable a significant increase in the margin for each household connection.

    Telstra’s T25 strategy also focuses on a further reduction of costs. Revenue could also increase for its mobile division as it raises prices in line with CPI inflation.

    Foolish takeaway

    Cassidy said that the Telstra share price is attractive when looking at cash earnings rather than statutory earnings because of how capital expenditure spending is structured.

    At the time of publication, he said that Telstra was valued at a price-to-equity free cash flow multiple of 16.4 times.

    The post Is the Telstra share price on the way back up? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Telstra Corporation Ltd right now?

    Before you consider Telstra Corporation Ltd, 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 Telstra Corporation Ltd wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of July 7 2022

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    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 positions in and has recommended Telstra Corporation 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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  • Appen share price on watch as ‘challenging’ first half dints earnings

    A male investor wearing a white shirt and blue suit jacket sits at his desk looking at his laptop with his hands to his chin monitoring the CBA share price todayA male investor wearing a white shirt and blue suit jacket sits at his desk looking at his laptop with his hands to his chin monitoring the CBA share price today

    The Appen Ltd (ASX: APX) share price is on watch after the company provided insight on its performance over the first half ahead of its earnings’ release later this month.

    The artificial intelligence and machine learning data provider outlined a disappointing six months that saw demand for digital advertising wane and some of its major customers’ spending slow while it continued to invest in transformation activities.

    The Appen share price is $5.71 as of Monday’s close.

    Let’s take a closer look at today’s news from the tech favourite.

    Appen share price in focus amid earnings update

    The Appen share price is in focus on Tuesday amid news the company’s earnings took a hit in the first half of 2022 and didn’t recover much in July.

    The company expects to post revenue of US$182.9 million for the six months ended 30 June – a 7% drop on that of the same period of 2021. That’s expected to dint its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA).

    Appen assumes it will post underlying EBITDA (after foreign exchange impacts) of US$8.5 million – a 69% drop.

    The company also expects to suffer a statutory loss of US$9.4 million and an underlying loss of US$3.8 million. That’s compared to the prior corresponding period’s respective profits of US$6.7 million and US$12.5 million.

    But it wasn’t all bad. The company’s business in China grew while its enterprise business showed momentum.

    Appen CEO Mark Brayan commented on the news likely to move the company’s share price today, saying:

    The first half … has been characterised by challenging external operating and macro conditions.

    This has especially impacted our global division, particularly those customers with a high exposure to digital advertising. While only 26% of our first half global revenue supports digital advertising, we are seeing a flow on effect to non-ad-related projects and some of our core programs, as our customers reduce their overall spend.

    Looking to the future…

    Appen expects seasonal projects and a ramp up in existing projects to drive volumes in the current half.

    Though, it noted a lack of improvement in July means there’s still uncertainty surrounding its global customers’ spending and their exposure to weaker digital advertising demand.

    That means the conversion of forward orders to sales is less certain than it has been in previous years.

    The company does expect its earnings to pick up in the second half, however. It also noted that while its customers’ spending has slowed, its AI product development is expected to increase.

    Appen is set to release its audited half year earnings on 25 August.

    Appen share price snapshot

    This year has been particularly rough on the Appen share price.

    The stock has tumbled 49% year to date. For comparison, the S&P/ASX All Technology Index(ASX: XTX) has slumped 28% and the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) has fallen 8% so far this year.

    The company’s stock is also 52% lower than it was this time last year. That leaves it having underperformed the All Tech Index by 26% and the ASX 300 by 45%.

    The post Appen share price on watch as ‘challenging’ first half dints earnings appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Appen Ltd right now?

    Before you consider Appen Ltd, 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 Appen Ltd wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that 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 Appen Ltd. 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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  • These ASX dividend shares have been named as buys for income investors

    A woman wearing glasses and a black top smiles broadly as she stares at a money yarn full of coins representing the rising JB Hi-Fi share price and rising dividends over the past five years

    A woman wearing glasses and a black top smiles broadly as she stares at a money yarn full of coins representing the rising JB Hi-Fi share price and rising dividends over the past five years

    If you’re looking to boost your income portfolio in August, then you may want to look at the shares listed below.

    Here’s why these ASX dividend shares could be worth considering right now:

    Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR)

    The first ASX dividend share to look at is Dicker Data. It is a leading technology hardware, software, and cloud distributor.

    Dicker Data has been growing at a solid rate for many years and continued this trend during the first half of FY 2022. Last week the company released its half year update and advised that it expects to report a 36% increase in revenue to $1,459 million and an 11% lift in operating profit before tax to a record of $51 million (excluding acquisition costs).

    While this does imply a slight slowdown in growth compared to its first quarter performance, the team at Morgan Stanley remain positive. As a result, the broker retained its overweight rating with a trimmed price target of $14.00.

    In addition, the broker is forecasting fully franked dividends per share of 36.2 cents in FY 2022 and 42.2 cents in FY 2023. Based on the current Dicker Data share price of $11.20, this will mean yields of 3.2% and 3.8%, respectively.

    South32 Ltd (ASX: S32)

    Another ASX dividend share that could be a top option for income investors is diversified mining and metals company South32.

    The team at Morgans are very positive on the mining giant. This is due to its attractive valuation, the de-risking of its growth portfolio, and its earnings-linked dividend policy. The broker expects the latter to support some very big dividends in the coming years.

    For example, Morgans is forecasting fully franked dividends per share of 28 cents in FY 2022 and 35 cents in FY 2023. Based on the current South32 share price of $3.86, this will mean yields of 7.25% and 9.1%, respectively.

    Another positive is that Morgans sees plenty of upside in the South32 share price. It has an add rating and $6.00 price target on the miner’s shares.

    The post These ASX dividend shares have been named as buys for income investors 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 Dicker Data Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Dicker Data 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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  • Morgans names 3 more of the best ASX shares to buy in August

    A woman sits at her computer with her hand to her mouth and a contemplative smile on her face as she reads about the performance of Allkem shares on her computer

    A woman sits at her computer with her hand to her mouth and a contemplative smile on her face as she reads about the performance of Allkem shares on her computer

    Analysts at Morgans have been busy picking out what they believe are the best ASX shares to buy in August. You can read about the first three here.

    Three more that have made the broker’s best ideas list are named below. Here’s why the broker is bullish on them:

    Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

    The first ASX share to look at is this investment bank. Morgans is a fan of the company due to its exposure to a number of long term structural growth areas. In addition, it feels that its trading businesses are well-placed to profit in the current volatile markets. It 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.

    Morgans has an add rating and $215.00 price target on Macquarie’s shares.

    QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE)

    The broker is also very positive on this insurance giant. Its analysts believe QBE could be an ASX share to buy thanks to its attractive valuation and positive outlook. The latter is being driven by rising rates and cost reductions. Morgans commented:

    With strong rate increases still flowing through QBE’s insurance book, and further cost-out benefits to come, we expect QBE’s earnings profile to improve strongly over the next few years. The stock also has a robust balance sheet and remains relatively inexpensive overall trading on ~9.1x FY23F PE.

    The broker has an add rating and $14.76 price target on QBE’s shares.

    ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

    A final ASX share that makes the broker’s best ideas list is ResMed. Morgans believes that the medical device company is well-placed for growth over the long term thanks to its digital business. It explained:

    While we believe the next few quarters will likely be volatile, as COVID-related demand for ventilators continues to slow and core sleep apnoea volumes gradually lift, nothing changes our medium/longer term view that the company remains well-placed as it builds a unique, patient-centric, connected-care digital platform that addresses the main pinch points across the healthcare value chain.

    Morgans has an add rating and $37.95 price target on ResMed’s shares.

    The post Morgans names 3 more of the best ASX shares to buy in 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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    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 Macquarie Group 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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  • Here’s the CBA dividend forecast through to 2024

    Four ASX dividend shares investors stand in a line holding cash fanned in their hands with thoughtful looks on their faces.

    Four ASX dividend shares investors stand in a line holding cash fanned in their hands with thoughtful looks on their faces.

    When it comes to dividends, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) dividend is among the most popular on the Australian share market.

    And even if your personal portfolio doesn’t include Australia’s largest bank, there’s a very strong probability that your superannuation fund owns its shares.

    In light of this, investors will no doubt be wondering where the bank’s dividends are heading in the coming years. So let’s find out.

    Where is the CBA dividend heading through to 2024?

    Analysts are quite divided on where the CBA dividend is heading from here. But one thing they do agree on, is that it will be increasing over the coming years.

    As a reminder, the banking giant paid shareholders a fully franked $3.50 per share dividend in FY 2021.

    According to a note out of Macquarie, its analysts are expecting this to increase by 8.6% to $3.80 per share in FY 2022. Based on the current CBA share price of $101.08, this will mean a yield of 3.75% for investors.

    The following year, in FY 2023, Macquarie is forecasting an increase to $3.90 per share. This would mean a fully franked 3.85% dividend yield for investors.

    Finally, in FY 2024, another 10 cents per share increase is expected by Macquarie, bringing the CBA dividend to $4.00 per share. This represents a 3.95% yield for investors at today’s share price.

    What else are brokers saying?

    The team at Credit Suisse are a touch more upbeat on the CBA dividend.

    They are forecasting fully franked dividends of $3.58 per share in FY 2022, $4.22 per share in FY 2023, and $4.67 per share in FY 2023. This will mean yields of 3.55%, 4.2%, and 4.6%, respectively, for investors over the three years.

    Finally, Citi is even more upbeat and forecasting fully franked dividends per share of $3.85 in FY 2022, $4.40 in FY 2023, and $5.00 in FY 2024. This will mean the CBA dividend provides attractive yields of 3.8%, 4.35%, and 4.95%, respectively.

    Time will tell which broker makes the right call. But shareholders will no doubt be hoping Citi is on the money with this one.

    The post Here’s the CBA dividend forecast through to 2024 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia right now?

    Before you consider Commonwealth Bank Of Australia, 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 Commonwealth Bank Of Australia 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 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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