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The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) looks to be giving investors a pre-Easter treat during this last day of trading before the long weekend. At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is up by another 0.54% and is back over 7,500 points.

But let’s delve deeper into the ASX 200 and check out the shares currently topping the market’s share volume charts, according to investing.com.

The 3 most traded ASX 200 shares by volume this Thursday

Uniti Group Ltd (ASX: UWL)

Our first ASX 200 share up today is the telco Uniti. Uniti has had a sizeable 22.61 million of its shares bought and sold on the markets thus far this Thursday. This is probably a result of the big announcement the company made this morning. Uniti has revealed that it was entered into a deal with the Morrison/Brookfield consortium that will see Uniti acquired in full at a price of $5 a share. 

As one might expect, the Uniti share price has raced toward that level today and is currently up a healthy 3.11% at $4.97 right now. This news and share price bump is the likely reason why we are seeing so many shares trading today.

AVZ Minerals Ltd (ASX: AVZ)

Lithium stock AVZ Minerals is next up this Thursday. We have seen a notable 27.83 million AVZ shares swap hands as it currently stands today. This ASX 200 lithium share has put out no major news or announcements today. However, the AVZ share price is currently up a robust 1.74% at $1.17. This follows the big announcement yesterday that AVZ’s flagship mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has received a final approval. 

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)

Paladin Energy is our final and most traded share of the day at present. We have seen a whopping 32.65 million Paladin shares find a new home on the markets so far today. Again, there has been no news or announcements out of this ASX 200 uranium share.

In saying that, we have seen a big share pice move with this company. The Paladin share price is currently up a pleasing 6.04% at 97 cents a share. This comes amid recent gains in the uranium price, as well as some love from some ASX brokers for Paladin shares themselves. It’s probably a combination of these factors that is leading Paladin to top our most traded shares list today. 

The post These 3 shares are topping the ASX 200 volume charts on Thursday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The BHP share price has had a stellar start to the year. Is it just the beginning?
• Why Allkem, Domino’s, Qantas, and Uniti shares are racing higher
• The Paladin Energy share price has surged 19% in a week. Here’s why these brokers are tipping more gains
• The CBA share price has leapt 14% since February. Too late to buy?
• ASX 200 midday update: Bank of Queensland sinks, Allkem jumps

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Uniti Group Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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The Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) share price is soaring today, up 5.2% in late afternoon trading. By comparison the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 0.6% at this same time.

Flight Centre shares opened this morning at $20.17 and are currently trading for $21.23.

So, what’s driving ASX investor interest?

Why is the Flight Centre share price outperforming today?

The Flight Centre share price has joined in with other ASX 200 travels share – like Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) and Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB) – in charging ahead today.

The impetus looks to be partly driven by strong results and bullish statements from US airline giant Delta Air Lines Inc (NYSE: DAL), which closed up 6.2% yesterday (overnight Aussie time).

In yesterday’s earning’s report Delta stated:

Domestic consumer revenues are exceeding 2019 levels and the recovery in business travel, revenue has accelerated as offices reopen and business travellers rebuild face-to-face relationships. Demand for long-haul international is growing, as travel restrictions lift…

This comes despite fast rising jet fuel costs, which are being offset by higher ticket prices.

According to Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian (quoted by The New York Post), “We are seeing a historic level of sales activity and booking volumes at levels higher than we’ve ever seen in our history.”

With those kinds of figures coming out of the US, the Flight Centre share price looks to be catching some helpful tailwinds today.

Factoring in today’s intraday gains, Flight Centre shares are up 12.9% since this time last month.

The post Here’s why the Flight Centre share price is soaring 5% higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• What’s impacting the Flight Centre share price today?
• Why is the Flight Centre share price still the most shorted on the ASX?
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• What went so wrong for ASX travel shares today?
• The Flight Centre share price is diving 5% today. What’s next in April?

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 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 Bruce Jackson.

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On Wednesday, we looked at three ASX shares that brokers have given buy ratings to this week. Unfortunately, not all shares are in favour with brokers right now.

Three ASX shares that have just been given sell ratings by brokers are listed below. Here’s why they are bearish on them:

Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG)

According to a note out of Goldman Sachs, its analysts have retained their sell rating but lifted their price target on this mining giant’s shares to $15.20. The broker believes Fortescue’s shares are extremely overvalued in comparison to BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO). It also has concerns over capex and execution risks for the Iron Bridge & Fortescue Future Industries businesses. The Fortescue share price is trading at $21.64 today.

Iluka Resources Limited (ASX: ILU)

A note out of Citi reveals that its analysts have downgraded this mineral sands and rare earths producer’s shares to a sell rating with a $10.50 price target. Citi made the move on valuation grounds following a very strong rise by its shares over the last few months. It also highlights that it will still be several years until Iluka is generating revenue from the Eneabba rare earths refinery. The Iluka share price is fetching $12.45 on Thursday.

New Hope Corporation Limited (ASX: NHC)

Analysts at Goldman Sachs have downgraded this coal miner’s shares to a sell rating with a $3.00 price target. According to the note, the broker downgraded New Hope’s shares on valuation grounds. It notes that its shares have rallied hard in recent months and now trades at 1.3x net asset value. In addition, the broker sees plenty of value on offer elsewhere in the resources sector. The New Hope share price is trading at $3.55 this afternoon.

The post Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to sell today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Bank of Queensland, Iluka, New Hope, and Zip shares are falling today
• Here’s why the New Hope share price is sliding 7% today
• How do you value the Fortescue share price in April 2022?
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Why AVZ, EML, Iluka, and Webjet shares are charging higher

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 Bruce Jackson.

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Has any S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) blue-chip share been more pleasing to own in recent months and years than BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)? You’d be pressed to argue against that question after looking at the numbers.

Today so far, BHP has gained a healthy 1.41% to $52.51 per share at the time of writing. That puts this mining giant’s share price performance over the past four weeks at 15.74%.

Over 2022 so far, BHP is now up a pleasing 23.9%. That compares very well against the ASX 200 which is still in the red by 0.9%.

Over the past 12 months, the performance has been more muted at a 14.14% gain. But over the past five years, BHP has given its investors a staggering return of 118%.

Add several dividend payments that have broken BHP’s very long list of record payouts and showered investors with cash, and you have an investment that has no doubt made plenty of people feel very grateful.

But is a 23.9% return in 2022 so far as good as it will get for the Big Australian? Or is this just the beginning for BHP shares? Let’s check out what some ASX investing experts reckon.

Is the BHP share price a buy or sell today?

BHP share price: Buy or sell?

One ASX broker who is bullish on BHP today is Morgans. As my Fool colleague reported last week, Morgans currently has an add rating on BHP shares. Although its 12-month target of $51.80 is a little below the company’s current share price, Morgans likes BHP for its “upside sensitivity, balance sheet strength and resilient dividend profile”.

But Morgans isn’t the only broker who likes what it sees at BHP. As we also covered last week, brokers at Macquarie are even more optimistic about BHP shares.

Macquarie has placed an outperform rating on BHP, replete with a 12-month share price target of $61. That would imply a further upside of 16% over the coming year. The broker is anticipating that high iron ore and coal prices will put a high floor under BHP’s earnings, cash flow, and dividends over the next few years.

So, that is how two ASX investing experts are seeing BHP shares right now. No doubt that will come as good news for existing shareholders.

At the current BHP share price, this ASX 200 miner has a market capitalisation of $262 billion with a trailing dividend yield of 9.26%.

The post The BHP share price has had a stellar start to the year. Is it just the beginning? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The CBA share price has leapt 14% since February. Too late to buy?
• ASX 200 midday update: Bank of Queensland sinks, Allkem jumps
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Here are the top 10 ASX shares today
• 3 ASX All Ordinaries shares scaling new multi-year peaks today

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to end the week on a positive note. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up 0.6% to 7,522.9 points.

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

Bank of Queensland Limited (ASX: BOQ)

The Bank of Queensland share price is down 5.5% to $8.05. Investors have been selling this bank’s shares following the release of its half year results. Bank of Queensland delivered a 14% increase in cash earnings to $268 million thanks to lending momentum, higher non-interest income, carefully managed costs, and a loan impairment expense credit. However, Citi noted that while the bank outperformed its earnings estimates, its ME Bank business disappointed with its home loan growth.

Iluka Resources Limited (ASX: ILU)

The Iluka share price is down 1% to $12.41. This decline appears to have been driven by a broker note out of Citi this morning. According to the note, the broker has downgraded the mineral sands and rare earths producer’s shares to a sell rating with a $10.50 price target. It made the move largely on valuation grounds.

New Hope Corporation Limited (ASX: NHC)

The New Hope share price is down almost 6% to $3.52. This has been driven by the coal miner’s shares trading ex-dividend for its monster dividend. Eligible New Hope shareholders can now look forward to receiving this fully franked 30 cents per share interim dividend at the beginning of next month on 4 May.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P)

The Zip share price is down a further 4.5% to $1.23. This buy now pay later provider’s shares have come under pressure again today after analysts at Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) spoke negatively about the industry. According to the note, the broker’s data shows that BNPL web traffic declined during March. It feels this is a “red flag for the BNPL industry.”

The post Why Bank of Queensland, Iluka, New Hope, and Zip shares are falling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Bank of Queensland share price sinks 6% on half-year update
• ASX 200 midday update: Bank of Queensland sinks, Allkem jumps
• Here’s why the New Hope share price is sliding 7% today
• Bank of Queensland shares in focus amid strong first half profit growth
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

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. owns and has recommended ZIPCOLTD FPO. 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 Bruce Jackson.

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In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) looks set to end the week in a positive fashion. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up 0.6% to 7,525.7 points.

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

Allkem Ltd (ASX: AKE)

The Allkem share price is up 2% to $13.52. Investors have been buying this lithium miner’s shares following the release of its third quarter update. According to the release, Allkem’s Mt Cattlin and Olaroz operations delivered record revenue for the quarter. This led to Allkem reporting quarterly group revenue of US$235 million and group gross operating cash margin of US$189 million.

Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP)

The Domino’s share price is up 2% to $81.34. This morning the team at Morgans retained its add rating but lowered its price target on this pizza chain operator’s shares to $100. While the broker expects inflationary pressures to weigh on its margins, it sees more than enough value in its shares to recommend it as a buy.

Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN)

The Qantas share price is up 8% to $5.49. This appears to have been driven by comments out of Delta Airlines in the US overnight. Although the airline operator posted a loss for the first quarter, it spoke very positively about its outlook. This has given a lift to travel stocks across the globe.

Uniti Group Ltd (ASX: UWL)

The Uniti share price is up 3% to $4.97. This morning the telco announced that it has entered into a binding scheme implementation deed with the Morrison/Brookfield Consortium. This will see the consortium acquire Uniti for a cash consideration of $5.00 per share less any dividends declared or paid after today.

The post Why Allkem, Domino’s, Qantas, and Uniti shares are racing higher appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is the Qantas share price flying 7% higher today?
• Lithium boom: Allkem share price hits record high on Q3 update
• Which ASX lithium shares does Macquarie tip to outperform?
• ASX 200 midday update: Bank of Queensland sinks, Allkem jumps
• Uniti share price lifts to 52-week high on sweetened takeover deal

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro owns Orocobre 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 recommended Dominos Pizza Enterprises Limited and Uniti Group Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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Shares of Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH) are inching forward on Thursday to trade 56 basis points higher at $225.98.

After a swift recovery in March, where shares thrust off a bottom of $190 – from $182 in January as well – Cochlear is now trading 4% higher this year.

Is Cochlear a buy?

Analysts have turned more constructive on the company since it released its first half results earlier this year.

Since then, the number of brokers advocating to buy Cochlear has surged to 42%, in line with the percentage of holds.

Still, almost 16% of coverage reckons to sell the stock right now, with RBC Capital Markets pricing a $149 per share valuation on Cochlear.

However, despite the balanced view, Cochlear is trading above its consensus price target of $221.18 apiece.

Analysts at JP Morgan were clearly impressed by the company’s latest earnings, noting the “strong result signals [its] growth story [is] clearly intact,” in a recent note.

“Cochlear reported a strong first half as European and emerging market implant volumes recovered, despite headwinds from multiple COVID waves,” it said.

“The result was also supported by a sharp lift in Services revenue as upgrades lifted as well as very strong Acoustic sales growth. This result signals the recovery is now broad-based, with the pandemic headwinds now manageable confirming the resilience of the growth story,” the broker added.

Given its performance, JP Morgan has now dampened its concerns surrounding the maker and researcher of cochlear implant systems.

However, valuation remains a concern, and with some foreseeable challenges ahead, the broker is comfortable on the sidelines at a neutral rating.

“Cochlear’s key markets have recovered more rapidly than we had feared given this results strong beat…we think the company is well positioned to return to its strong historical growth profile,” it noted.

“While the medium-term outlook remains compelling with the stock trading at its 5 year average [price to earnings] P/E and with limited upside to our DCF-based price target, we have retained our neutral rating (June 2022 price target lifted to $223 from $207).”

The post The Cochlear share price has shaved 13% from its all-time high. Is now the time to pounce? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX 200 healthcare shares were chronically ill last quarter. Take a look
• What’s the outlook for the Cochlear share price in April?
• 3 more of the ‘best’ ASX 200 shares to buy this month: Morgans
• Why is the Cochlear (ASX:COH) share price sliding today?
• 3 ASX healthcare shares rated as buys by a leading broker

Motley Fool contributor Zach Bristow has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended Cochlear Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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Elmore Ltd (ASX: ELE) shares are exploding today on the one year anniversary of the minerals processing company rejoining the ASX.

The Elmore share price is currently 5 cents and up 51.52%. In earlier trading, it hit a 52-week high of 5.6 cents. By contrast, the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) is up 0.68% today.

Let’s take a look at what is happening at the company.

Elmore shares up on ‘monumental milestone’

The Elmore share price is lifting after the company announced it is starting commercial production at its Peko State 1 Magnetite Processing Plant in the Northern Territory.

The company is escalating production with a target of 350,000 tonnes per annum. This is the rail capacity limit. The plant was recently commissioned and Elmore started transporting magnetite product to the Darwin Port. Water has now been connected.

Elmore is also transitioning from daylight production to becoming a 24-hour site.

The company will sell magnetite from the plant and plans to add copper, cobalt, and gold to the mix. Elmore could fetch $US200 per tonne for the magnetite, based on recent pricing of the China Steel 65% Magnetite Concentrate Index.

Commenting on the news, Elmore managing director David Mendelawitz said:

Today marks exactly one year to the day since Elmore was reinstated to official quotation on the ASX. Whilst it hasn’t been easy, we are very proud of what we have achieved against all odds, both in regards to return to shareholders and the delivery of our first, cornerstone project.

Commencement of commercial production at Peko is a monumental milestone for us as a small, start-up service company.

Elmore share price snapshot

The Elmore share price has soared 121% in the year to date and 143% over 12 months.

In the past month, Elmore shares have jumped 70%.

Elmore has a market capitalisation of about $27 million based on the current share price.

The post This ‘monumental milestone’ just sent the Elmore share price skyrocketing 52% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The Cochlear share price has shaved 13% from its all-time high. Is now the time to pounce?
• What’s sending the Webjet share price 6% higher on Thursday?
• Why is the Qantas share price flying 7% higher today?
• Could interest rate hikes send the gold price into the mountains?
• Why is the Transurban share price revving up on Thursday?

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 Bruce Jackson.

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The Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB) share price is launching higher on Thursday.

Its gains come amid news the United States’ Delta Air Lines Inc (NYSE: DAL) broke even last month and is forecasting more strong performance for the June quarter.

That’s likely inspiring positive sentiment of ASX travel shares, with many of Webjet’s peers recording similar gains today.

At the time of writing, the Webjet share price is $5.77, 6.07% higher than its previous close.

That makes it the second best performing S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) share behind Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) on Thursday. Right now, the ASX 200 has gained 0.6%.

Let’s take a closer look at what might be boosting the ASX 200 travel stocks on Thursday.

Is this boosting the Webjet share price?

The Webjet share price is taking off today amid news international airline, Delta Air has returned to profitability.

The airline recorded an adjusted operating margin of almost 10% for the month of March. That’s allowed it to recapture higher fuel prices.

It expects that will rise to between 12% and 14% in the June quarter, driven by robust demand and the increasing return of business and international travel.

The airline predicts its total revenue for this quarter will come to between 93% and 97% of that of 2019’s June quarter.

It also expects the price of fuel to increase in the current quarter.

Delta spent an average of US$2.79 per gallon of fuel in the March quarter. That’s expected to rise to between US$3.20 and US$3.35 in the June quarter.

Of course, such sentiment is likely good news for the broader travel industry and, in return, Webjet’s bottom line.

And it’s not just the Webjet share price on the up-and-up today. Right now, the Qantas share price is trading around 7.6% higher.

Meanwhile, the Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) share price is up 5.2% and that of Corporate Travel Management Ltd (ASX: CTD) has gained 2.8%.

The post What’s sending the Webjet share price 6% higher on Thursday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• Why AVZ, EML, Iluka, and Webjet shares are charging higher
• Webjet share price takes off following broker upgrade
• Why is the Webjet share price having such a lousy start to the week?
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares

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 recommended Delta Air Lines. 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 Bruce Jackson.

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Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) shares are tracking higher today, up 7.37% to $5.47 apiece.

Qantas shares may be rising after US airline carrier Delta Air Lines Inc (NYSE: DAL) spurred a rally of US airline stocks overnight.

What’s driving the Qantas share price higher?

Delta has made some bold and bullish projections about a rebound in summer travel. This sent airline share prices in the US higher overnight and Qantas appears to be following in their footsteps.

Bloomberg reported: “The carrier said strong summer bookings will help it offset fuel costs and a slow return of business travel.”

From its earnings report yesterday, Delta remarked:

Domestic consumer revenues are exceeding 2019 levels and the recovery in business travel, revenue has accelerated as offices reopen and business travellers rebuild face-to-face relationships.

Demand for long-haul international is growing, as travel restrictions lift, led by the Transatlantic. To date, we have not seen an impact to travel demand from the conflict in Ukraine, but we, of course, are monitoring this closely. Nearly all European countries have now removed entry testing requirements for vaccinated customers.

We continue to join the rest of the US travel industry, in urging the US government to lift pre-departure testing requirements.

What else is happening with Qantas?

Earlier in the week, Qantas faced allegations from consumer advocacy group Choice relating to its flight credit policies.

In the past 12 months, the Qantas share price has grown by just 5%. However, it has spiked 11% in the past month.

The post Why is the Qantas share price flying 7% higher today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ASX 200 midday update: Bank of Queensland sinks, Allkem jumps
• Qantas share price flies away from ‘unfair and unworkable’ flight credit claims
• What went so wrong for ASX travel shares today?
• Why did the Qantas share price have such a tough time of it today?
• ASX travel shares have been flying higher over the past month. Here’s why

Motley Fool contributor Zach Bristow has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Delta Air Lines. 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 Bruce Jackson.

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