Tag: Motley Fool

  • Why are Lake Resources shares receiving the most attention on Friday?

    A man and a woman sit in front of a laptop looking fascinated and captivated by ASX shares news articles especially one about the Bannerman Energy share priceA man and a woman sit in front of a laptop looking fascinated and captivated by ASX shares news articles especially one about the Bannerman Energy share price

    Lake Resources N.L. (ASX: LKE) shares are flying off the shelves on Friday despite no news having been released by the company today.

    Still, investors have traded nearly 22 million Lake Resources stocks so far this session. That makes it the most traded share on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

    Although, the increased interest hasn’t bolstered the Lake Resources share price. It’s currently trading at 59.5 cents, 1.65% lower than it closed yesterday.

    For context, the ASX 200 is currently down 0.82%.

    So, what might be going on with the lithium exploration company on the ASX today? Let’s take a look.

    Lake Resources shares fly out the door on Friday

    While there’s been no news from Lake Resources today, the company’s shares have been the talk of the town for most of this week.

    Drama in the company’s camp kicked off on Tuesday when it was the target of an attack by short seller, J Capital.

    The Lake Resources share price was halted as the company prepared to respond to accusations detailed in a report published by J Capital. That response was released yesterday.

    The company claimed the report “puts forth incorrect information on technical matters and inaccurate assertions on Lake Resources’ progress to date”.

    Notably, Lake Resources hit back at assertions that direct lithium extraction technology wouldn’t work as planned at the company’s Kachi Project, saying the short seller “criticis[ed] the wrong process”.

    Unfortunately, it seemingly did little to quell some investors’ concerns. Lake Resources’ stock plunged 10% on Thursday.

    On top of that, the company remains one of ASX’s most shorted shares. Around 9.6% of its stock was in the hands of short sellers at the last count. That leaves its short position 5.94% higher than it was a month prior.

    The Lake Resources share price has also fallen more than 60% over the last 30 days. Though, it’s currently 80% higher than it was this time last year.

    The post Why are Lake Resources shares receiving the most attention on Friday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    “The worst thing you can do is nothing”

    Motley Fool Chief Investment Officer says right now is not the time to sit on your hands…
    As inflation eats away at cash balances Scott Phillips reveals three stocks for investors to consider that could help fight rising prices…
    … And Lake Resources N.l. isn’t one of them.

    Learn More
    *Returns as of July 1 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 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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  • Macquarie shares ‘a clear beneficiary’ of global green energy push: fundie

    A man and woman put hands in the air as they dance in front of a green brick wall.A man and woman put hands in the air as they dance in front of a green brick wall.

    Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) shares are sliding today.

    The global banking, financial services and fund management business closed yesterday trading at $171.00 per share and is currently trading for $167.74, down 1.9%.

    Macquarie isn’t the only stock under pressure, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) down 1.1% at this same time.

    While Macquarie shares are underperforming today, they have a history of long-term outperformance. And Blackmore Capital portfolio manager Marcus Bogdan believes there’s more of that to come.

    Benefiting from the global green energy push

    Speaking to Livewire, Bogdan chose Macquarie as one of two blue-chip ASX shares he’d be happy to buy and hold for five years.

    He said Macquarie shares are “a clear beneficiary of an environment that we believe will reward companies with rising exposure to net-zero targets by 2050”.

    According to Bogdan:

    The opportunity for Green Capex needs has never been stronger as investment is urgently required across the entire supply chain to meet Net Zero targets.

    Macquarie firmly established its position in 2017 when it acquired the Green Investment Group from the UK government, to become a leading financier and developer of green infrastructure including renewable energy projects.

    Bogdan pointed out that Macquarie shares are likely to benefit from rising demand for the company’s services amid the ongoing and volatile global green energy transition:

    The transition to green energy is also driving heightened volatility in energy markets as governments grapple with the ongoing energy supply challenges impacting both fossil fuels and renewables.

    There’s increased demand – and this is growing – for the risk management, financing and logistics services offered by Macquarie’s Commodities and Global Markets division. This is driven by the increased activity, volatility and supply chain disruption in energy and commodity markets currently.

    How have Macquarie shares been tracking?

    Though underperforming in the calendar year, Macquarie shares have gained 9% over the past 12 months, compared to a full-year loss of 10% posted by the ASX 200.

    There’s also some income on offer.

    At the current price, Macquarie shares pay a trailing dividend yield of 3.7%, fully franked.

    The post Macquarie shares ‘a clear beneficiary’ of global green energy push: fundie appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you consider Macquarie Group 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 Macquarie Group 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 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 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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  • Clipped wings: Why ASX 200 travel shares are having trouble getting off the ground today

    A woman looks nervous and uncertain holding a hand to her chin while looking at a paper cut out of a plane that she's holding in her other hand. representing the falling Air New Zealand share price todayA woman looks nervous and uncertain holding a hand to her chin while looking at a paper cut out of a plane that she's holding in her other hand. representing the falling Air New Zealand share price today

    The share prices of S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) travel giants such as Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB) and Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) are struggling to gain ground on Friday.

    It comes amid a broader sell-off event that’s seen the ASX 200 plunge 0.85%. Here’s how these ASX favourites shares are travelling today:

    • The Webjet share price is currently 1.05% lower at $5.17
    • The Flight Centre share price has slipped 1.19% to trade at $16.60

    Meanwhile, the share prices of fellow ASX 200 travel stocks Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) and Corporate Travel Management Ltd (ASX: CTD) are down 0.6% and 0.8% respectively.

    There are several happenings that might be dragging on the ASX 200 travel sector today. Let’s take a look.

    What’s weighing on ASX travel shares today?

    First off, ASX 200 travel shares might be being impacted by the spread of diseases and illnesses.

    COVID-19 and influenza are continuing to spread through Australia while concerns of foot-and-mouth disease grow.

    Qantas has today confirmed rising COVID-19 cases among staff have caused large numbers of flights to be delayed or cancelled during the school holidays. Of course, such news might be weighing on ASX travel shares today.

    Meanwhile, LNP senator Susan McDonald has called for a suspension of flights from Bali amid concerns Australians returning from the popular tourist destination could cause an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

    McDonald said an outbreak of the livestock disease could have ramifications of “biblical proportions”, continuing:

    We saw a swift closing of borders with COVID, and I believe similar measures should be discussed for foot-and-mouth, and if not flight suspensions, then quarantine for returning passengers.

    Some people will say this is an overreaction … but the devastation of a foot-and-mouth outbreak in Australia would be widespread.

    The impact on our near $80 billion protein and dairy herds would be indescribable.

    Though, closing the border appears to be off the cards for now. Agricultural minister Murray Watts has ruled out such a response, 7News reports.

    Whether talk of border closures could impact Australians’ decisions to travel is yet to be seen. But that might not be all holding Aussies back from jetting off on holidays.

    Some economists expect the Reserve Bank of Australia will hike rates by 75 basis points next month after the unemployment rate fell to 3.5% in June, according to reporting by The Age.

    Such a move would likely see Australians’ pockets feeling notably lighter. Of course, that could lessen demand for travel and possibly reduce sentiment for ASX travel shares.

    The post Clipped wings: Why ASX 200 travel shares are having trouble getting off the ground 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 Brooke Cooper 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 Corporate Travel Management Limited, Flight Centre Travel Group Limited, and Webjet 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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  • Why is the Falcon Metals share price rocketing 38% higher?

    A man clenches his fists in excitement as gold coins fall from the sky.

    A man clenches his fists in excitement as gold coins fall from the sky.The Falcon Metals Ltd (ASX: FAL) share price has returned from its suspension with a bang.

    In afternoon trade, the gold explorer’s shares are up a massive 38% to 25.5 cents.

    Why is the Falcon Metals share price rocketing higher?

    Investors have been scrambling to buy Falcon Metals shares on Friday following the release of drilling results from the Pyramid Hill Gold Project in Bendigo.

    According to the release, the company has received final assay results for all the remaining diamond and aircore holes at the Karri and Ironbark prospects in the Pyramid Hill Gold Project.

    Management advised that results from this drilling are highly encouraging and confirmed primary gold mineralisation within the diorites at both Ironbark North and East. The results at Karri have also further extended the zone of primary mineralisation intersected by diamond drilling.

    What’s next?

    The release explains that the next step for the Pyramid Hill Gold Project is a detailed assessment of these results and finalisation of the forward work plan.

    Falcon Metals’ drilling is expected to recommence in October, with the company at the advanced stages of securing a quality drilling contractor for an extensive regional program. This will screen its substantial prospective land holding for large scale and high-grade gold systems.

    Falcon Metals’ managing director, Tim Markwell, was very pleased with the news. He commented:

    The high-grade aircore results returned at Ironbark East, the confirmation of primary mineralisation at Ironbark North, plus the further extension of the Karri system are all highly positive results for Falcon.

    These results are indicative of the quality of our ground position and targets, and the potential of the Bendigo Zone to host high-grade gold mineralisation. Being in the fortunate position of having a strong cash balance, we look forward to completing an assessment of these encouraging results and planning for a major work program in the coming months.

    The post Why is the Falcon Metals share price rocketing 38% higher? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Our #1 Strategy for today’s inflation drenched markets

    The ABC recently reported that inflation in the UK has hit an eye watering 40 year high.
    Meanwhile the Reserve Bank believes that by the end of the year inflation in Australia will climb to levels not seen since 1990.
    As prices surge we’ve uncovered 3 “inflation fighting” stocks we think could hand investors outsized returns as the market recalibrates.
    And as Scott Phillips put it
    “There’s one thing to avoid at all costs when inflation hits.
    And that’s doing nothing.”
    We reveal details on these three “inflation fighting” stocks here.

    Learn More
    *Returns as of July 1 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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  • Ardent Leisure share price ‘materially undervalued’: expert

    Scared looking people on a rollercoaster ride representing the volatile Mineral Resources share price in 2022Scared looking people on a rollercoaster ride representing the volatile Mineral Resources share price in 2022

    The Ardent Leisure Group Ltd (ASX: ALG) share price is up by almost 2% in early afternoon trading to 53.5 cents.

    Shares in the theme park operator have fallen by more than 60% in value this month following a capital return to shareholders.

    Ardent Leisure owns and operates a bunch of entertainment and leisure businesses including the theme parks Dreamworld and WhiteWater World, as well as SkyPoint, on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

    One expert believes the Ardent Leisure share price is now way below what it should be.

    Improving public perception of Ardent Leisure

    WAM Capital Limited (ASX: WAM) is a listed investment company run by Wilson Asset Management. Its mandate: To invest in the “most compelling undervalued growth opportunities in the Australian market”.

    The company released its June 2022 investor update yesterday. In it, the fund manager explained that Ardent Leisure was a positive contributor to the fund’s performance in June.

    In the update, Wilson said:

    With Ardent Leisure Group’s theme parks being materially impacted throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we believe the business is in a strong position to capitalise on a recovering domestic and international tourism sector.

    The company’s operating cost base has been structurally lowered, with reinvestment in the rides and attractions, and improving public perception, which we expect to underpin a strong recovery in its profitability in FY2023.

    A tragic accident at Dreamworld in 2016 severely damaged the public perception of Ardent Leisure.

    Four people were killed and others injured when a floating platform overturned on the Thunder River Rapids Ride. A two-year inquest was concluded in 2020. The ride is now closed.

    Share price ‘materially undervalues’ Ardent Leisure

    Wilson said the Ardent Leisure share price is low compared to its global peers.

    Wilson said:

    We believe Ardent Leisure Group’s current share price materially undervalues the company relative to global peers, while opportunity exists to unlock further value via development of excess land assets.

    Ardent Leisure share price snapshot

    Ardent Leisure shares plummeted after the inquest’s findings were handed down in February 2020.

    They reached a trough in March 2020 and have gradually recovered since to be up 605% at the start of this month.

    The Ardent Leisure share price then hit the skids again but for very different reasons. It’s down more than 60% from $1.41 at the market close on 1 July to 53.5 cents today.

    The follows a shareholder vote in favour of selling the main event business in the United States to Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. This meant a return of capital for shareholders totalling $455.7 million.

    This was paid on Wednesday in the form of an unfranked special dividend of 95 cents per share.

    The post Ardent Leisure share price ‘materially undervalued’: expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    3 Stocks for Runaway Inflation

    As the world suffers price shocks… and the cost of everything seems to be ticking higher…
    These 3 ASX stocks could be the answer to runaway inflation. Boasting key qualities companies need to not only survive but actively thrive when costs surge.
    Act fast – because in times of inflation, the worst thing you can do is… nothing.

    Learn More
    *Returns as of July 1 2022

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    Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in WAM Capital 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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  • Why is the Nickel Industries share price 5% worse for wear today?

    a sad looking engineer or miner wearing a high visibility jacket and a hard hat stands alone with his head bowed and hand to his forehead as he speaks on a mobile telephone out front of what appears to be an on site work shed.a sad looking engineer or miner wearing a high visibility jacket and a hard hat stands alone with his head bowed and hand to his forehead as he speaks on a mobile telephone out front of what appears to be an on site work shed.

    The Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) share price is currently one of the worst performers within the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

    At the time of writing, it’s down 5.26% to 90 cents.

    So what’s going on?

    Well, China is one of the world’s key buyers of commodities, so what happens in the country can have widespread ramifications for resource prices, the Nickel Industries share price, and so on.

    According to reporting by Reuters, GDP growth in China has slowed considerably. In the three months to June 2022, GDP growth was reportedly down to just 0.4% year on year, which was lower than the 1% growth expected.

    Looking at the quarter-on-quarter number, GDP dropped 2.6%, which was worse than the 1.5% decline predicted.

    China’s lockdowns to stop the spread of COVID-19 are being blamed for the fall.

    Chinese property market

    ASX 200 mining shares are also having a rough time of it today. This comes as Bloomberg reports that Chinese home buyers aren’t making payments on dozens of projects across many cities.

    As noted by Commsec, the nickel price has sunk by more than 8%. Many other commodities are also seeing red, including the iron ore price, which has dropped heavily.

    As a commodity business, Nickel Industries’ earnings can significantly shift if the nickel price goes higher or lower over time.

    Nickel Industries share price snapshot

    Since the start of 2022, the Nickel Industries share price has fallen by around 38%.

    It is also down by almost 18% over the past 12 months and 14% over the past month.

    The post Why is the Nickel Industries share price 5% worse for wear today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    “The worst thing you can do is nothing”

    Motley Fool Chief Investment Officer says right now is not the time to sit on your hands…
    As inflation eats away at cash balances Scott Phillips reveals three stocks for investors to consider that could help fight rising prices…
    … And Nickel Industries Limited isn’t one of them.

    Learn More
    *Returns as of July 1 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 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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  • CSL shares ‘well-positioned to deliver double-digit earnings growth’: expert

    Two scientists in a Rhythm Biosciences lab cheer while looking at results on a computer.Two scientists in a Rhythm Biosciences lab cheer while looking at results on a computer.

    CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) shares are shrugging off the wider market malaise today and marching 0.3% higher.

    The global biotech company closed at $296.20 per share yesterday and is currently trading for $297.05 per share.

    In contrast, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 1.4% in early afternoon trading.

    CSL has handily outperformed the benchmark both in this calendar year and over the longer-term.

    And according to Blackmore Capital portfolio manager Marcus Bogdan, CSL shares are well-positioned for more outperformance ahead.

    Double-digit earnings growth flagged

    Speaking to Livewire, Bogdan picked CSL as one of two ASX 200 listed shares he’d be happy to buy and hold for five years.

    He said the biotech company “is well-positioned to deliver double-digit earnings growth with strong underlying demand returning for plasma products”.

    According to Bogdan:

    Plasma collection has been the single biggest factor driving the company’s share price performance during the COVID pandemic, where donor supply was significantly disrupted.

    A sequential recovery in plasma supply is now well underway, benefiting from increased social mobility and the rollout of new donor centres. Indeed, we expect that the second half of 2022 will prove to be the trough in earnings for CSL, as annual collections are on track to exceed pre-COVID levels in FY23.

    Bogdan also pointed to CSL’s influenza vaccine division, Seqirus, as offering ongoing tailwinds for the company:

    Seqirus has been a critical source of diversification and growth for CSL during the ongoing plasma challenges experienced throughout the pandemic. Seqirus has been a beneficiary of heightened awareness of respiratory diseases and continued innovation in cell-based influenza vaccines has driven an improvement in margins.

    Overall, we expect the structural demand drivers for plasma therapies and influenza vaccines to underpin growth for CSL for the foreseeable future.

    How have CSL shares been performing?

    While not shooting the lights out in 2022, CSL shares are a rare breed in that they’re in the green, up 1% since the opening bell on 4 January. That contrasts with the 13% year-to-date loss posted by the ASX 200.

    Longer-term, CSL shares are up 135% over the past five years.

    The post CSL shares ‘well-positioned to deliver double-digit earnings growth’: expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Inflation pressures and bear market opportunities

    According to The Motley Fool’s Chief Investment Officer Scott Phillips, how investors handle their investments right now could have a massive impact on their wealth in years to come.
    While many investors will turn to real estate, gold and other commodities in times of inflation, Scott is quick to point out another way…
    Get the details now…

    Learn More
    *Returns as of July 1 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 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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  • Why this broker is bullish on the Santos share price

    Happy man standing in front of an oil rig.

    Happy man standing in front of an oil rig.

    The Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) share price is having a subdued finish to the week.

    In afternoon trade, the energy producer’s shares are trading flat at $6.98.

    However, it is worth noting that the ASX 200 index is down 1.1% at the time of writing. So, this means the Santos share price is outperforming today.

    Why is the Santos share price outperforming the market?

    Today’s relative outperformance appears to have been driven by a bullish broker note out of Citi this morning.

    According to the note, the broker has upgraded the company’s shares to a buy rating from neutral and raised the price target on them by 3.5% to $8.60.

    Based on the current Santos share price, this implies potential upside of 23% for investors over the next 12 months.

    What did the broker say?

    Citi made the move largely on valuation grounds after recent weakness in the Santos share price.

    For example, since hitting a 52-week high of $8.86 just over a month ago, the company’s shares have pulled back by over 21%.

    The team at Citi believe that this has created value for investors, especially given the favourable outlook for gas prices. The latter has led to an upgrade to the broker’s earnings estimates for Santos, which underpinned its price target increase.

    Citi commented:

    STO shares have retraced and there’s now a strong valuation case. With higher for longer gas price forecasts, we raise CY22-23 earnings forecasts substantially and our dcf is a$8.60/shr.

    All in all, the broker appears to believe that this could make Santos shares a decent option for investors that are looking for exposure to the energy sector right now.

    The post Why this broker is bullish on the Santos share price appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Three inflation fighting stocks no ones’ talking about

    Savvy Motley Fool investors may have already found three stock moves to help fight inflation.
    Three ASX stocks that could be hiding right under your nose.

    Learn More
    *Returns as of July 1 2022

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  • Down 23%, should investors buy Alphabet before its stock split?

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

    alphabet stock represented by man using Google search engine on computer

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

    Shares of the leading search engine operator, Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) (NASDAQ: GOOG), have hit a roadblock, falling 23% since the start of the year. The company will undergo a 20-for-1 stock split on Friday, July 15, with the aim of making its shares more affordable and alluring to retail investors. Of course, it’s important to note that stock splits have absolutely no effect on the market value of a company.

    When companies initiate stock splits, the number of outstanding shares increases and the price per share decreases. This occurs proportionately so that the market capitalization of the company remains unaltered. On that note, investors shouldn’t get distracted by Alphabet’s upcoming stock split; instead, they should focus on the company’s fundamentals to determine whether to buy the stock. So is Alphabet a worthy investment right now.

    Smooth sailing for Alphabet’s business

    Business is solid for the search engine giant. In its opening quarter of the year, the company’s total revenue surged 23% year over year to $68 billion, and its diluted earnings per share fell 6.4% to $24.62. Although Alphabet’s business was strong on all fronts, the Google Cloud segment performed particularly well, with revenue rocketing 43.8% to $5.8 billion. Both its gross profit margin and operating profit margin remained steady year over year at 43.5% and 29.5%, respectively.

    For this fiscal year, analysts expect Alphabet’s top line will expand 15.3% year over year to $297 billion, but see its bottom line pulling back 1.3% to $110.77 per share. In 2023, which is when comparable metrics should be more favorable, Wall Street projects total revenue will climb 15% to $341.5 billion, with earnings per share increasing 18.6% to $131.40. In an economy brimming with uncertainty, these are encouraging growth rates and certainly impressive metrics for a company of Alphabet’s size.

    What makes Alphabet a phenomenal investment at the moment is its exceptional balance sheet and ability to generate cash at a rapid clip. The search engine operator boasts $20.9 billion in cash and cash equivalents, and it generated a jaw-dropping $69 billion in free cash flow (FCF) over the past 12 months. The company’s first-class balance sheet and cash flow generation provide a major safety net in the event of a recession, so much so that investors won’t need to worry about Alphabet’s ability to ride out any economic storm. And as icing on the cake, the stock’s 20.1 price-to-earnings multiple is below its five-year average of 32.4.

    Don’t worry about the stock split

    Don’t pounce on Alphabet just because of its upcoming stock split. Instead, consider buying shares of the tech giant because it operates a wonderful business and now trades at a discounted valuation. Have no fear of the ongoing market sell-off, either, as corrections often lead to phenomenal long-term investments. And given Alphabet’s persistent operational success, elite balance sheet, and unrivaled cash flow generation, the company appears to be a no-brainer at existing price levels

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

    The post Down 23%, should investors buy Alphabet before its stock split? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Luke Meindl has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet (A shares) and Alphabet (C shares). The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet (A shares) and Alphabet (C 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 is the Newcrest share price slipping to a new 52-week low on Friday?

    It’s been a rather brutal day of trading on the ASX boards so far this Friday. At the time of writing, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has lost a painful 1.16% and is back to around 6,570 points. But it’s been even worse for some ASX 200 shares. One of those is the Newcrest Mining Ltd (ASX: NCM) share price.

    Newcrest shares have copped a belting today, no way around it. This ASX 200 gold miner is currently down a nasty 2.92% at just $18.64 a share. Not only that, but earlier in today’s session, Newcrest shares fell as low as $18.62 each. That’s a new 52-week low for the miner.

    So what on earth is going on today that might explain such a horrendous move for Newcrest shares?

    Well, the first thing to note is that Newcrest’s woes aren’t unique. The ASX gold space, and indeed the entire materials sector, are all having a very tough day.

    Newcrest’s ASX 200 gold peers like Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) and Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX: GOR) are having a shocker. Northern Star shares have lost 2.9% so far today, while Gold Road shares are down 1.57%.

    But looking outside the ASX gold shares, we are still seeing plenty of red. Take the Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) share price. It’s currently down 5.74%. BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares have lost more than 4%, while the Mineral Resources Limited (ASX: MIN) share price has gone backwards by 5.6%.

    Why are ASX 200 gold shares like Newcrest taking a pounding?

    As my colleague James covered this morning, it seems concerns over China’s economic growth, as well as a slump in commodity prices, are weighing on the entire materials sector today, which is currently the worst-performing sector of the ASX 200.

    But what also might be affecting the Newcrest share price specifically is the price of gold itself. As we also covered this morning, the yellow metal dropped substantially overnight. It fell 1.6% to just over US$1,700 an ounce, which is the lowest gold has traded at since March 2021.

    So considering all of this, it’s perhaps no surprise that we are seeing new 52-week lows for the Newcrest share price today.

    At the current Newcrest share price, this ASX 200 gold share has a market capitalisation of $16.67 billion, with a dividend yield of 3.52%.

    The post Why is the Newcrest share price slipping to a new 52-week low on Friday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Newcrest Mining 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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