Tag: Motley Fool

  • Collins Foods share price jumps 11% on FY22 results

    chicken, KFC, drumstick, fried food, junk food

    chicken, KFC, drumstick, fried food, junk food

    The Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF) share price is on the charge on Tuesday morning. This follows the release of the KFC restaurant operator’s full-year results.

    At the time of writing, the company’s shares are up 11% to $9.95.

    Collins Foods share price higher on full year results

    • Revenue up 11.1% to $1,184.5 million
    • Statutory earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) up 12.5% to $297.2 million
    • Underlying EBITDA up 12.6% to $209.2 million
    • Underlying net profit after tax up 25% to $59.7 million
    • Fully franked final dividend up 20% to 15 cents per share

    What happened during FY 2022?

    For the 12 months ended 1 May, Collins Foods delivered an 11.1% increase in revenue to $1,184,5 million. This was driven by a combination of same store sales growth and new store openings.

    For the KFC Australia business, where the company was cycling record same store sales, the company reported a 6.1% increase in revenue to $955.5 million. This was underpinned by same store sales growth of 1.4% and the opening of 10 new restaurants. Supporting this growth was its digital and delivery offering, which accounted for 16.9% of sales in the second half.

    In Europe, Collins Foods reported a 41.2% jump in revenue to $190.4 million. This reflects a 16.8% increase in same store sales, the acquisition of 15 restaurants, and the opening of 3 new restaurants.

    The Taco Bell business delivered a 27.5% increase in revenue to $35.8 million in FY 2022. This was driven by the opening of 4 new restaurants, which offset an 8.1% decline in same store sales. Pleasingly, the business returned to same store sales growth in the fourth quarter.

    Finally, the Sizzler Asia business posted a 10.8% increase in revenue to $2.8 million.

    On the bottom line, thanks to stronger margins, Collins Foods’ underlying net profit after tax grew 25% to $59.7 million. This allowed the board to declare a final fully franked dividend of 15 cents per share, bringing its full-year dividend to 27 cents per share. This represents a 17% year on year increase.

    Management commentary

    Collins Foods managing director and CEO, Drew O’Malley, was pleased with the company’s performance. He said:

    KFC Australia managed to deliver positive same store sales growth for the full year, despite cycling unprecedented growth in the prior year. The KFC brand has never been stronger in Australia, and metrics around quality, value, and purchase intent are at record levels, particularly important in times like these. At the same time, we continue to amplify our strengths in convenience with further growth in digital, delivery and innovation, including the introduction of drone delivery and, more recently, UberEats.

    KFC Europe had an impressive year of recovery, with same store sales growth and margins above pre-COVID FY19 levels. We cemented our position in the Netherlands with acquisitions taking us to 55% of the franchisee market and the commencement of the Netherlands Corporate Franchise Agreement. We are already seeing the benefits of effective control with improved marketing campaigns and an expanding development pipeline, as we build toward scale in this market.

    Taco Bell returned to positive same store sales growth in Q4 FY22. We have been making additional investments in media to support core brand positioning around taste and value. We have also seen new store openings perform ahead of expectations, providing confidence in the brand’s potential as we look to accelerate the pace of development.

    Outlook

    O’Malley remains positive on the company’s outlook despite the challenges it is facing from inflation and supply chain shortages. He commented:

    The global environment continues to exhibit unprecedented challenges with inflationary pressures and supply chain shortages. Our QSR brands are nonetheless in excellent shape to navigate this landscape. Their proven track record of consumer appeal regardless of economic conditions, combined with our relentless pursuit of operational excellence, ensures we are well positioned to manage through the current inflationary environment.

    He also revealed that sales results over the first seven weeks of FY 2023 have been encouraging. This is particularly the case in Europe, with all business units reporting positive same store sales.

    And while there has been some “unavoidable” short term pressure on margins, management expects them to recover in the mid-term.

    Finally, over the next 12 months, the company is expecting to grow its store footprint by 20 to 29 new restaurants.

    O’Malley concludes:

    Collins Foods possesses the key ingredients to weather turbulent times – a strong balance sheet, world-class brands, and a passionate and dedicated team of experienced operators. We continue to monitor the landscape for acquisition opportunities that fit our portfolio and capabilities. And ultimately, we believe that by staying focused on providing unmatched experiences for our customers and people, our long-term prospects are as bright as ever.

    The post Collins Foods share price jumps 11% on FY22 results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you consider Collins Foods 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 Collins Foods 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 June 1 2022

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Collins Foods Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Collins Foods Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Collins Foods 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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  • Do Bank of Queensland shares really offer a dividend yield above 6%?

    A female CSL investor looking happy holds a big fan of Australian cash notes in her hand representing strong dividends being paid to herA female CSL investor looking happy holds a big fan of Australian cash notes in her hand representing strong dividends being paid to her

    The Bank of Queensland Limited (ASX: BOQ) share price has had a rough couple of weeks.

    It’s slipped 7.7% since the end of May – a similar performance to that of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

    At the time of writing, the Bank of Queensland share price is $6.93. That leaves the approximately $4.5 billion ASX 200 bank trading with a dividend yield of more than 6%.

    Let’s take a closer look at the notable dividend ratio offered by Bank of Queensland.

    Bank of Queensland shares offer a 6.3% dividend yield

    Have you been invested in Bank of Queensland shares for the last 12 months? You’ve likely received 44 cents in dividends for each stock held over that time.

    That figure encompasses a 22-cent final dividend for financial year 2021, paid in November. A 22-cent interim dividend, paid in May, topped it off.

    Considering the current Bank of Queensland share price, that leaves the stock boasting a dividend yield of approximately 6.35%. Not too shabby.

    Additionally, Bank of Queensland pays out fully franked dividends. That could make its yield even more attractive to some shareholders as franked dividends can provide benefits at tax time.

    On top of that, the ASX 200 bank offers a dividend reinvestment plan (DRP). That allows shareholders to receive their payout in the form of new shares in the bank, thereby increasing their holding without paying brokerage, commission, or stamp duty fees.

    The 6.35% dividend yield offered by Bank of Queensland shares is one of the highest among ASX 200 bank stocks.

    Though, it’s bested by Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares’ current 6.38% dividend yield.

    Meanwhile, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) are trading with respective dividend yields of 5.74% and 6.07%.

    The post Do Bank of Queensland shares really offer a dividend yield above 6%? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Bank Of Queensland Limited right now?

    Before you consider Bank Of Queensland 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 Bank Of Queensland 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 June 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 positions in and has recommended Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited. 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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  • My top Warren Buffett stock to buy right now

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

    Legendary share market investing expert and owner of Berkshire Hathaway Warren Buffett

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

    Investing is tough enough in normal times. When volatility spikes, inflation is high, and the economic future looks incredibly uncertain, investing becomes substantially more difficult for most of us mere mortals. In times like these, looking to Warren Buffett — easily among the greatest of all living investors — for inspiration can be a great way to keep investing despite those challenges. 

    Buffett built his fortune over decades by buying companies that generate cash — lots of cash. Buffett’s picks are not typically the fastest-growing businesses out there, but their ability to generally make money in good times and in bad make them worthy of consideration in times like these. With that in mind, there is one Warren Buffett stock that stands out as my absolute top to consider buying right now: Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A)(NYSE: BRK.B).   

    What’s so special about Berkshire Hathaway?

    Alone among Buffett’s stock picks, Berkshire Hathaway is the one that can count him as an employee. As CEO of the company, Buffett both directs the operations of the business and the investment of all that cash it throws off. And that makes it the hub of all Buffett-related investing activities.

    With an investment in Berkshire Hathaway, you get the only Buffett pick that also gives you access to the insurance businesses that the company controls, as well as the legion of subsidiaries it owns. Your ownership stake gets you all that, plus the benefits that come from having Buffett and his designated successors controlling the investment of the excess cash those businesses generate.

    You’re not just getting access to Buffett’s investments by buying shares of Berkshire Hathaway, you’re also getting them at a remarkably low cost. The company trades at just around 1.2 times its book value. In essence, that basically means that if you wanted to assemble the company yourself from its component parts, it’d cost you almost as much, and you wouldn’t get Buffett as part of that deal.

    That combination of factors adds up to make Berkshire Hathaway my top Warren Buffett stock to consider buying now.

    Is there a downside?

    All that said, there is some risk associated with owning Berkshire Hathaway. First and foremost, the company is practically synonymous with Buffett, as he has led the company for over half a century. Buffett is over 90 years old, so his tenure as Berkshire Hathaway’s leader is closer to the end of its term than the beginning of it. There is a risk that when Buffett eventually does step down or pass away, Berkshire Hathaway’s stock could fall in fear of the unknown.

    In addition, unlike many of Buffett’s investment picks, Berkshire Hathaway does not pay a dividend. As a result, the only way for shareholders to tangibly benefit from any rewards they might see from being owners is to be willing to sell at least part of their stakes. That’s a little odd for a company that’s known for being defensive and cash rich — and not among the fastest growing ones in the marketplace.

    All told, it’s a great company, despite those downsides

    When all is said and done, no investment is perfect, not even Berkshire Hathaway. As a result, although it is my top Warren Buffett stock to consider buying right now, it’s one that best fits within an overall intelligent asset allocation strategy. By owning it as part of that overall strategy, you can give yourself your best chance of balancing the risks and rewards of being a shareholder within the context of your overall portfolio.

    Of course, a smart overall allocation strategy is one that takes time to get in place. So get started now, and get yourself in a spot where you can own a piece of this tremendous Buffett company with him at the helm. 

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

    The post My top Warren Buffett stock to buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. right now?

    Before you consider Berkshire Hathaway Inc., 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 Berkshire Hathaway Inc. 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 June 1 2022

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    Chuck Saletta 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 Berkshire Hathaway (B shares). The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long January 2023 $200 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), 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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  • Looking to buy ASX dividend shares? Here are 2 that experts rate highly

    A happy investor sits at his desk in front of his laptop and does the mexican wave with his arms to celebrate the returns from his ASX dividend sharesA happy investor sits at his desk in front of his laptop and does the mexican wave with his arms to celebrate the returns from his ASX dividend shares

    Experts have picked out two ASX dividend shares that could provide attractive total returns.

    Businesses that pay out an attractive amount of income are appealing to many ASX investors. But growth is important too, and some ASX shares offer the best of both worlds.

    Brokers are constantly looking for shares that could be good value. Sometimes they get it wrong, but these two are well-liked and could offer compelling total returns (growth and income).

    Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)

    The first ASX dividend share we’ll look at is Telstra.

    Telstra is the largest telecommunications business in Australia. It provides a wide range of telco services including mobile, NBN, digital health services through Telstra Health, and more.

    Telstra is currently rated by a few different brokers, including Morgan Stanley.

    Their price target, which is where the broker thinks the Telstra share price will be in 12 months, is $4.60. That implies a possible rise of almost 20%.

    In terms of the dividend, the broker is expecting Telstra to pay an annual dividend of 16 cents per share. That equates to a grossed-up dividend yield of 5.8%.

    Telstra recently announced that from 1 July, its mobile plan prices would increase in line with CPI inflation. From now on, plan pricing is going to include an annual review “and may increase annually”. That could be helpful for growing the total revenue and net profit after tax (NPAT).

    But the company is doing a number of other things to try to increase its profitability, including cutting costs, providing access to its regional network to TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG) customers, and acquiring Digicel Pacific.

    Telstra has said that it plans to grow its dividend over time as its profit and cash flow rise.

    Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

    This ASX dividend share is a specialty retailer of youth casual apparel. The business operates 78 physical stores across Australia.

    The product strategy is to offer a “frequently changing and carefully curated selection of on-trend apparel products” to a target market of 16 to 35-year-olds.

    One of the company’s main tactics is to open new stores. It has opened 13 stores since its initial public offering (IPO). The company thinks it can reach at least 100 stores across Australia and New Zealand. It has a plan to open another five to eight stores in the next year, predominately in Queensland and NSW.

    Online sales are another area of growth. Despite a growing store network, 17.7% of its sales are online, up from 8.8% at the IPO. Universal is continuing to invest in its online capabilities and its digital marketing.

    It’s also working on its IT and logistics. A new, purpose-built distribution centre and office are on track for the first half of FY23.

    In a recent trading update, Universal said that in the FY22 second half, it had seen total sales growth of 6.9% year on year and online sales growth of 27.3%.

    Morgans currently rates this ASX dividend share as a buy with a price target of $5.60. That’s a potential upside of about 25%.

    In FY23, Morgans thinks Universal will pay a grossed-up dividend yield of 8.9%.

    The post Looking to buy ASX dividend shares? Here are 2 that experts rate highly 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 June 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 positions in and has recommended Telstra Corporation Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended TPG Telecom 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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  • 2 excellent ASX dividend shares that experts rate as buys this week

    asx dividend shares represented by tree made entirely of money

    asx dividend shares represented by tree made entirely of money

    Are you looking for some dividend shares to add to your income portfolio? If you are, then the two listed below could be worth considering.

    These dividend shares have been rated as buys and tipped to provide investors with attractive yields. Here’s why analysts are positive on them:

    Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT (ASX: CQE)

    The first ASX dividend share for investors to consider is the Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT.

    It is a real estate investment trust with a focus on social infrastructure properties which have specialist use, limited competition, and low substitution risk. These properties are in great demand from end users. So much so, the company currently boasts a 100% occupancy rate.

    This strong demand underpinned a $101.5 million or 5.6% increase in the valuations of its properties this week.

    Goldman Sachs is very positive on the company’s future. So much so, it currently has a conviction buy rating and $4.24 price target on its shares.

    It is also forecasting growing dividends per share of 17.2 cents in FY 2022 and 18.3 cents in FY 2023. Based on its current share price of $3.54, this implies yields of 4.9% and 5.2%, respectively.

    Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

    Coles could be another ASX dividend share to buy right now.

    This supermarket giant could be a top option due to its defensive qualities, strong market position, solid long term growth prospects, and positive exposure to rising inflation.

    Management is also busy working hard on the company’s refreshed strategy, which is focusing on cutting costs with automation and efficiencies. This is expected to boost margins and support its earnings and dividend growth over the next decade.

    Citi is very positive on the company. It currently has a buy rating and $19.30 price target on its shares. The broker is also forecasting fully franked dividends of 63 cents per share in FY 2022 and then 72 cents per share in FY 2023.

    Based on the latest Coles share price of $17.92, this will mean yields of 3.5% and 4%, respectively, over the next two financial years.

    The post 2 excellent ASX dividend shares that experts rate as buys this week 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 June 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 positions in and has recommended COLESGROUP DEF SET. 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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  • How much has Westpac paid in dividends in the past 5 years?

    Young boy wearing suit and glasses adds up Westpac dividends paid since 2017 on his calculatorYoung boy wearing suit and glasses adds up Westpac dividends paid since 2017 on his calculator

    The Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) share price has been on a disappointing run over the past five years.

    Shares in the banking giant were at a multi-year high in 2017 before gradually trending lower.

    It’s worth noting that it was during COVID-19 that Westpac shares hit rock bottom to a decade-low of less than $15 in March 2020.

    The shares quickly rebounded along with the broader market to about the $25 mark in the months following.

    While 2022 has been eventful with strong inflationary movements and interest rate hikes, Westpac shares have again stumbled.

    At yesterday’s market close, the Westpac share price was $19.92.

    Let’s take a look and see how much Westpac has distributed in dividends to shareholders over the past five years.

    A summary of Westpac’s dividend history

    Here’s a list of all the dividends paid out by Westpac since 2017.

    • July 2017 – 94 cents (interim)
    • December 2017 — 94 cents (final)
    • July 2018 — 94 cents (interim)
    • December 2018 – 94 cents (final)
    • June 2019 — 94 cents (interim)
    • December 2019 — 80 cents (final)
    • June 2020 — No interim dividend paid (COVID-19)
    • December 2020 — 31 cents (final)
    • June 2021 — 58 cents (interim)
    • December 2021 — 60 cents (final)
    • June 2022 — 61 cents (interim).

    When adding all of the above amounts, Westpac has paid a total of $7.60 in dividends per share since 2017.

    You may have noted that the board elected not to pay a dividend during the height of COVID-19 (June 2020). This is because the bank was bracing for financial headwinds due to the gloomy economic outlook.

    Nonetheless, after a cautious approach in the following period, Westpac began slowly ramping up its dividend again. However, it’s still 35% off its pre-COVID levels.

    At the time of writing, Westpac has a trailing dividend yield of 6.07%.

    Westpac share price summary

    Despite accelerating over the long term, Westpac shares have lost 23% in the past 12 months.

    Year-to-date, the ASX big four bank also hasn’t fared well. Its shares are down 8% over the first six months of 2022 due to strong volatility across global markets.

    Based on valuation grounds, Westpac commands a market capitalisation of approximately $69.74 billion.

    The post How much has Westpac paid in dividends in the past 5 years? 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 June 1 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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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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  • Is the Brickworks dividend yield of almost 5% too good to ignore?

    A man with a wry smile on his face is shown close up behind ascending piles of coins as he places another coin on top of the tallest stack representing the rising Brickworks dividend yieldA man with a wry smile on his face is shown close up behind ascending piles of coins as he places another coin on top of the tallest stack representing the rising Brickworks dividend yield

    At the current Brickworks Limited (ASX: BKW) share price, the company has a grossed-up dividend yield of around 5%.

    There are plenty of ASX dividend shares out there, but I think this one is too good to ignore.

    It’s not easy finding businesses that have sizeable yields, while also offering growth potential.

    With the Brickworks share price down by 23.5% in 2022, it could be an opportunistic time to consider this business.

    Brickworks is the leading manufacturer of bricks in Australia and in the US northeast. It also has a strong position in roofing (with Bristle Roofing), masonry, and precast in Australia.

    The Brickworks dividend may not offer the biggest yield around, but there are other factors to take into account.

    Dividend stability

    A dividend is never guaranteed. It is paid at the discretion of the company’s board of directors.

    They decide what the dividend will be based on the profits the business has made.

    Brickworks has one of the longest-running dividend streaks on the ASX.

    Its normal dividend has been maintained or increased every year since 1976. That means it has been 46 years since normal dividends were last decreased.

    The Brickworks boss says they’re “proud” of their long history of dividend growth and “the stability this provides” to shareholders.

    Brickworks has increased its dividend for nine years in a row.

    Growth in dividends

    Ensuring the dividend is increasing is one thing, but the size of that growth is also important to know.

    The Brickworks FY22 half-year result included an increase of 1 cent per share for the dividend. That may not sound like much, but it equated to a year on year increase of 5% in percentage terms.

    Over many years gone by, that would have been comfortably more than inflation.

    Dividend funding

    Brickworks is known as a building products business, but it also has two assets helping it fund these dividend increases.

    It owns a sizeable chunk of the investment house Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL), which itself has a dividend growth streak going on.

    Soul Pattinson owns a diversified portfolio across different asset classes and business sectors. This provides consistency and stability for Brickworks’ underlying earnings and cash flow.

    Brickworks also owns a 50% share of an industrial property trust that builds large warehouses for new tenants to use. Not only is there rental growth built into the existing rental contracts, but completions help cash flow and assist in the funding of Brickworks’ dividend.

    In the HY22 result, Brickworks reported that the net trust income (the rental profit) increased by 7% to $17 million.

    There is enough spare land for the trust to keep building new industrial properties for at least five years.

    Foolish takeaway

    I think the Brickworks share price is at an attractive level. The dividend yield of close to 5% is a good shout for income. And if Brickworks keeps growing its dividend, which isn’t certain, then 5% could be just the starting point.

    The post Is the Brickworks dividend yield of almost 5% too good to ignore? 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

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Brickworks and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Brickworks and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company 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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  • Meme stocks are doomed (in the long run)

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

    a woman wearing a close-sitting hat featuring wires and thick computer screen glasses clutches her computer monitor and looks shocked and disturbed as she reads old-fashioned computer text from the screen.

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

    During the first half of 2021, meme stocks like GameStop (NYSE: GME) and AMC Entertainment (NYSE: AMC) took the financial world by storm. Individual investors piled into shares of a handful of companies — particularly beaten-down, heavily shorted stocks — quickly making huge gains. As the stock prices soared, many of these traders used social media platforms to celebrate and to urge others to continue buying.

    Over the past year, though, meme stocks have lost much of their lustre. Indeed, meme stocks’ best days are probably behind them. In the long run, they simply cannot escape the underlying companies’ poor performance.

    Maintaining excitement is hard

    The surge in meme stocks last year was surprising, but it wasn’t unprecedented. There have been many such stock market ‘bubbles’ over time. However, these bubbles pop sooner or later.

    In the early days of the meme stock craze, watching stocks like GameStop and AMC rocket higher was exciting. As the stocks rose, they gained more mainstream interest, leading to additional buying and even bigger gains.

    But as time went by and meme stocks’ gains slowed, most investors began to tune out. The resulting stock price declines made meme stocks even less exciting to the average American, as they no longer seemed like a ticket to quick riches.

    The need for a devoted band of followers to prop up the share price has already doomed lesser meme stocks. For example, shares of Bed Bath & Beyond, Virgin Galactic, and BlackBerry made big gains during the peak of the meme stock craze. But over the past year, all three stocks have plummeted below pre-pandemic levels.

    BBBY Chart

    Three-year performance of selected meme stocks, data by YCharts.

    Even AMC stock has risen less than 20% over the past three years, underperforming the broader market. Only GameStop has maintained big gains compared to 2019. And despite being the most popular meme stock, GameStop shares have fallen more than 70% from the all-time high of $483 they reached in January 2021.

    A stag hunt doomed to fail

    The “stag hunt” scenario from game theory also helps explain why meme stocks are poised for losses over time. In a stag hunt, everyone must work together to achieve the best outcome (capturing a stag). The risk is that some people settle for a sure thing with a smaller reward (catching a hare) and allow the stag to escape.

    By acting as a group to buy (and not sell) shares of GameStop, AMC, and other names, meme stock investors generated huge paper profits last year. Even today, meme stock bulls continue to urge other investors to buy and “hold on for dear life” no matter what.

    Maintaining this kind of cooperation over time is hopeless, though. Eventually, some people will choose to sell, perhaps to make a big purchase or perhaps simply to take some risk off the table. That’s exactly what has happened over the past year, bringing meme stocks back to earth.

    No substance to these stocks

    Many years ago, investing legend Benjamin Graham aptly described the phenomenon behind meme stocks’ performance. According to his most famous student — Warren Buffett — Graham said, “In the short run, the market is a voting machine … but in the long run, the market is a weighing machine.”

    In other words, at any moment, a stock can be popular or out of favour for no good reason. But over time, a company’s fundamental performance (i.e. revenue, earnings, and cash flow) is the main driver of its share price. Meme stock investors are learning this lesson the hard way.

    Even at today’s levels, shares of GameStop and AMC are extremely overvalued. GameStop is deeply unprofitable and burning cash rapidly. Its main growth initiative — an NFT marketplace — seems unlikely to fix things, given that crypto giant Coinbase‘s NFT marketplace has been a bust. GameStop’s intrinsic value is probably closer to $1 billion than its current market cap of $10 billion.

    Meanwhile, AMC would have trouble supporting its $5.5 billion debt load even if revenue and earnings returned to 2019 levels. And while theater attendance is improving, revenue remains well below pre-pandemic levels. That makes AMC’s $6 billion-plus market cap very hard to justify.

    In short, while the past year has been rough for meme stock investors, the future could be even worse, barring an unlikely surge in profits at GameStop and AMC.

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

    The post Meme stocks are doomed (in the long run) 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 June 1 2022

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    Adam Levine-Weinberg has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and recommends Coinbase Global, Inc. The Motley Fool recommends BlackBerry. 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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  • Where to find value in growth? Here are 2 ASX shares I’d buy in July

    a graph indicating escalating results

    a graph indicating escalating resultsASX growth shares could be the way to go in July 2022 with how share prices have largely been pushed lower in recent times.

    There are concerns about a number of areas. Inflation, interest rates, the Russian invasion, energy prices, supply chains and so on.

    There’s nearly always something to worry about, though there seems to be quite a few things at the moment.

    However, as Warren Buffet says, a good time to be greedy when it comes to buying shares is when people are fearful.

    Not only do I believe that this is a good time to buy ASX shares in general, but there are some specific ideas that I think are buys.

    Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

    The Temple & Webster share price is one of the ones that has suffered heavily in the sell-off.

    Since the start of 2022, it has dropped by more than 60%. That’s despite the ASX growth share’s latest trading update showing ongoing double-digit growth.

    For the period of 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022, it said that revenue had increased by 23% year on year. This also represented 116% growth over a two-year period. I think that double-digit compounding growth year after year can add up.

    Management is focused on ramping up the business by investing in various areas such as marketing, technology development, product range and the overall customer experience.

    The business points to an ongoing rise in online shopping that can help it capture a bigger market share in furniture, homewares, home improvement and business customers.

    Increased scale will help the business in various ways including cost advantages in product sourcing, logistics and marketing.

    I think this ASX growth share has plenty of operational growth ahead of it, particularly with trade and commercial, and home improvement.

    Bubs Australia Ltd (ASX: BUB)

    Bubs is a fast-growing infant formula business. It specialises in goat milk infant formula, but it also has cow milk infant formula, toddler snacks and adult dairy products.

    It’s growing revenue and scale quickly. The business recently gave an update where it said it was upgrading its FY22 guidance for gross revenue to be more than $100 million. It’s also expecting to at least double its underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA).

    Bubs has answered the call of the US government asking for help to alleviate the infant formula shortage in the company. It’s in the process of shipping 1.25 million tins to the US.

    The company said that it’s seeing “strong momentum” in China and an unanticipated volume of sales in the USA.

    Not only is the business doing well in the large markets of China and the USA, but it’s also achieving growth in Australian supermarkets and chemists, while also making partnerships in other Asian countries to lay the foundation for growth there.

    Infant formula is a higher margin product for Bubs, so growth will help the company’s overall profit margin.

    The post Where to find value in growth? Here are 2 ASX shares I’d buy in July appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you consider Bubs Australia 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 Bubs Australia 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 June 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 positions in and has recommended Temple & Webster Group Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BUBS AUST FPO and Temple & Webster Group 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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  • Time is running out to secure the Goodman Group dividend. Here’s what you need to do

    Happy woman holding $50 Australian notes representing the Goodman Group dividend and slumping share priceHappy woman holding $50 Australian notes representing the Goodman Group dividend and slumping share price

    The Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) share price has been in a funk over the past couple of months.

    Despite finishing yesterday’s session 0.96% higher to $18.86, shares in the integrated commercial and industrial property group haven’t performed since May.

    In fact, from the beginning of May, the Goodman Group share price is down 22%.

    In comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has fallen by 10% over the same time frame.

    Goodman shares set to go ex-dividend

    Today is the last day for ASX investors to secure Goodman’s latest dividend.

    Its shares are set to trade without rights (ex-dividend) on Wednesday.

    It’s worth noting though that historically when a company reaches its ex-dividend day, its shares tend to fall. This is because investors try to make a quick profit by selling their shares.

    When will Goodman shareholders be paid?

    For those who are eligible for the Goodman dividend, the payment of 15 cents per stapled security will be made on 25 August.

    This is in line with the previous dividends that have been paid out since 2019.

    The dividend is unfranked, which means shareholders won’t receive any tax credits for the upcoming financial year.

    Goodman Group share price summary

    Over the past 12 months, Goodman shares have fallen by 10%.

    However, when looking at the year to date, its shares are deeper in the red, down by 29%.

    The company’s shares reached a 52-week low of $16.80 earlier this month before slightly rebounding in the following weeks.

    Goodman Group commands a market capitalisation of $34.79 billion based on yesterday’s closing share price. It has a trailing dividend yield of 1.61%.

    The post Time is running out to secure the Goodman Group dividend. Here’s what you need to do 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 June 1 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 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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