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The Podium Minerals Ltd (ASX: POD) share price is off to the races today.

At time of writing, shares in the ASX resource explorer are up more than 12%, having earlier posted gains of 20%.

Below we take a look at the latest drilling results that look to be stoking ASX investor interest.

What drilling results were announced?

Kicking of the new year on a high note, the Podium Minerals share price is surging after the company reported promising drill results at its 100% owned Parks Reef PGM (platinum group metals) project in Western Australia, alongside the appointment of its new chief executive officer.

Podium completed 2 of the 3 diamond drill holes it plans to test Parks Reef before Christmas. Cores from the 500 metre deep holes are now in Perth with preliminary lithological logging completed.

According to the release, initial core observations indicate both holes intersected “sulphide bearing stratigraphy of the layered intrusion”. Podium said that visual analysis provides it with additional confidence that mineralisation is continuing to significant depth.

Commenting on the results, newly appointed CEO Sam Rodda, who officially took the helm on 1 January, said:

This is a very exciting outcome for Podium, with the Stage 8 drilling so far confirming continuity of Parks Reef at depth and that it remains steeply dipping. This drill program has provided further confidence that we have yet to find the limits of the orebody at depth.

We intend to pursue an aggressive exploration strategy aimed at growing our resource base and also testing our orebody for rhodium and iridium to include the full 5E PGM suite of minerals in future resource estimate updates.

Podium Minerals share price snapshot

Podium Minerals shares have stormed higher over the past 12 months, gaining 232%. That compares to a 12 month gain of 13% posted by the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

Over the past month, the Podium Minerals share price is up 13%.

The post Up 232% in 1-year, why is the Podium Minerals (ASX:POD) share price rocketing today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 exciting ASX tech shares that could be buys
• What happened to the Woodside (ASX:WPL) share price in 2021?
• Why has the Atomo Diagnostics (ASX: AT1) share price surged 50% since Christmas?
• Morgans names 2 ASX 200 dividend shares to buy
• Here’s why the ASX 200 miners’ 2022 outlook could be in for a boost

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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There are a number of ASX tech shares that have exciting potential for growth over the coming years.

Some businesses are exposed to growth trends that are helping certain sectors power ahead.

With that in mind, here are two ASX tech shares with potential:

VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ASX: ESPO)

This investment is an exchanged-traded fund (ETF) which is invested in global gaming and e-sports businesses.

Some of the holdings that readers may have heard of includes Tencent, Nvidia, Nintendo, Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Take-Two Interactive, Bandai Namco, Ubisoft, Zynga and Capcom. There are were a total of 25 holdings at the end of 2021.

Gaming earnings are generated across the world. Newzoo was expecting the Asia-Pacific region to generate gaming revenue of US$78.4 billion in 2020, accounting for around half of the global games market. The Middle East and Africa region was expected to be the fastest-growing market in 2020, with 14.5% year on year growth to reach US$5.4 billion.

By 2023, the competitive gaming audience is expected to reach 646 million people globally. E-sports revenue has seen an average increase of revenue of 28% per annum since 2015 according to VanEck. This is coming about from fast growth, as well as new revenue streams like advertising and media rights.

This ASX tech share ETF has an annual management fee of 0.55%.

Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT)

Nextdc is Australia’s largest data centre business, with operations in each of Australia’s largest cities, and plans for more centres.

It’s rated as a buy by several brokers, including Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), which has a price target of $16.10 on the business. This price target suggest upside of around 25% over the next year, if the broker is right.

Both the broker and management are focused on the opportunity for the ASX tech share to expand its digital infrastructure platform into new locations. Nextdc is progressing its regional expansion plans and diversify by going to ‘edge’ locations in regional communities where demand is “expected to continue surging over many years”

One growth avenue is a new regional development in partnership with the Northern Territory Government to develop its first data centre in Darwin, D1. Macquarie thinks that these edge data centres could earn higher yields.

In FY22, the company is expecting data centre service revenue to increase between 16% to 20%, with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) growth of between 19% to 23%.

The post 2 exciting ASX tech shares that could be buys appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How the Macquarie (ASX: MQG) share price went in 2021
• 3 high quality ETFs for ASX investors in January
• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy
• 2 exciting tech ETFs for ASX investors in 2022
• Christmas highs: 3 ASX 200 shares hitting record highs today

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 recommended VanEck Vectors ETF Trust – VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF. 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 Woodside Petroleum Ltd (ASX: WPL) share price finished 2021 in the red despite a positive start to the year.

The oil and gas company’s share price fell 4.94% for the year, finishing at $21.93. For perspective, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gained 13% in 2021.

At least this year’s result was greener than 2020, when the company’s shares slumped 33%.

Let’s take a look at what weighed on the Woodside share price during the year.

How did the year play out?

The year started with a bang for the Woodside share price which hit a yearly high of $27.40 on January 20, up 20%. A major reason for this was the surging oil prices in January. Also helping to boost the share price was news Woodside would expand its long-term LNG supply agreement with Uniper Global Commodities.

However, its shares then slid sharply at the end of January, falling more than 10% at the end of the month. A broker note out of UBS downgraded the energy producer’s shares to a neutral rating at the time.

The Woodside share price had its sharpest fall in August, dropping 11.67% between August 13 and 19.

That came despite positive half-year results from the company. Woodside revealed a $317 million net profit after tax compared to a $4 billion loss in 1H 2020.  Meanwhile, operating revenue jumped 31.3% to $2.5 billion 

However, a major announcement on a merger with BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) was also weighing on investors’ minds. If approved by shareholders, Woodside will issue shares to BHP shareholders and create a new joint company. However, as my Foolish colleague Mitchell reported at the time, this was slammed by a key investor.

But while the Woodside share price may have slid slower, the company’s dividend increased by 14%. The energy company reported a US 30 cents per share distribution, equating to AU 41.6 cents.

In September and early October, its shares were surging again, jumping 23.71% between September 20 and October 11 despite no price-sensitive announcements from the company.

This came on the back of soaring energy prices. Brent crude prices surged 12.8% in 3 weeks from US$73.92 per barrel to US$83.33 

Then in November, the Woodside share price took another dive, falling nearly 9%. Investors received an update on the merger with BHP, providing a minor bump to the company’s stock. However, global oil prices crashed on the emergence of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. Oil prices sank 13% to $68.15 a barrel on the day of that announcement.

On the bright side, shares in the company jumped 2.33% in the final month of the year and climbed on news of a new energy plan. The company will invest $5 billion in emerging new energy markets by 2030.

December also saw the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission give the green light to its acquisition of BHP. The company also appointed Graham Tiver as the new chief financial officer and executive vice president.

Woodside share price snapshot

The Woodside share price fared roughly 18% worse than the broader ASX 200 Index in 2021.

The company has a market capitalisation of more than $21 billion based on the current share price.

The new year is also bringing some joy to Woodside. The Brent crude oil price is up 1.54% to US$78.98 a barrel. At the time of writing, Woodside shares are swapping hands for $22.45, up 2.37%.

The post What happened to the Woodside (ASX:WPL) share price in 2021? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Morgans names 2 ASX 200 shares to buy
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday

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 Atomo Diagnostics Ltd (ASX: AT1) share price has surged through the festive period. It’s gained 50% since the ASX closed on Christmas Eve.

The stock’s recent boost could be due to its involvement with COVID-19 rapid tests. Rapid tests have been the talk of the town lately as Australia faces a record wave of COVID-19 cases.

At the time of writing, the Atomo Diagnostic share price is 31.5 cents, 5% higher than its previous close.

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 1.3% right now.

Let’s take a closer look at what might be driving the company’s stock lately.

Atomo Diagnostics share price particularly festive

The Atomo Diagnostics share price has been on a roll lately. The company’s shares surged 26% on Wednesday, triggering the ASX to issue a ‘please explain’.

In its response, the company noted increased media attention on the topic of COVID rapid antigen tests. Indeed, rapid tests have been on many minds lately, including those of the country’s decision-makers.

The same day the Atomo Diagnostics share price experienced its major leap, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the federal government was bringing forward a national cabinet meeting to discuss implications of the Omicron outbreak, including testing arrangements.

That meeting occurred on 30 December. It led to the introduction of new orders stating rapid antigen tests will become the go-to COVID-19 test for most Australians, with PCR tests restricted to those with symptoms and close contacts.

Additionally, Atomo Diagnostics pointed to an article published by the Sydney Morning Herald the previous day as a potential catalyst for its shares’ gains.

The article discussed increasing demand from consumers and state governments for COVID-19 rapid tests.

In October, the company announced new terms to its supply agreement for COVID-19 rapid tests.

It can now purchase up to 10 million rapid tests to be used in professional settings in Australia and New Zealand and another 10 million to be sold commercially.

While the Atomo Diagnostics share price initially dived 11.7% on the new terms, the prospect of supplying more tests could be what’s got the market excited about the company.

However, despite the stock’s Christmas gains, the company’s share price is only 1.6% higher than it was this time last year.

The post Why has the Atomo Diagnostics (ASX: AT1) share price surged 50% since Christmas? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• What happened to the Woodside (ASX:WPL) share price in 2021?
• Morgans names 2 ASX 200 dividend shares to buy
• Here’s why the ASX 200 miners’ 2022 outlook could be in for a boost
• 5 worst ASX 200 tech shares of 2021
• ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) midday update: Pilbara Minerals hits record high, energy shares rise

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 Bruce Jackson.

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If you’re looking for dividend shares to buy, then you may want to check out the ones listed below that are rated as buys by the team at Morgans.

Here’s what its analysts are saying about these ASX 200 dividend shares:

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

The first ASX 200 dividend share that Morgans is bullish on is Transurban. It is a toll road operator with a portfolio of key roads in Australia and North America. Morgans likes Transurban due to its exposure to a number of growth drivers.

It explained: “We view TCL as a high quality pure-play toll road infrastructure portfolio benefitting from employment and population growth, urbanisation, and the value of time, with particular exposure to the east coast capital cities in Australia.”s

Its analysts are forecasting dividends per share of 35 cents in FY 2022 and then 55.3 cents in FY 2023. Based on the current Transurban share price of $13.87, this implies yields of 2.5% and 4%, respectively. Morgans has an add rating and $14.57 price target on its shares.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)

Another ASX 200 dividend share that Morgans rates as a buy is Westpac. Its analysts believe the recent weakness in the Westpac share price has created an opportunity for income investors.

Morgans commented:: “WBC shares have been sold off heavily following the FY21 result announcement, such that out of the major banks, WBC is now trading on the lowest FY22F P/NTA multiple, the lowest FY22F P/E multiple and the highest FY22F dividend yield. Such multiples or yields could only be justified if WBC is a value trap, which we think it is not. We believe the challenges facing WBC are not severe enough for WBC to be thought of as a value trap.”

The broker is forecasting fully franked dividends 123 cents per share in FY 2022 and then 162 cents per share in FY 2023. Based on the current Westpac share price of $21.51, this will mean yields of 5.8% and 7.6%, respectively. Morgans has an add rating and lofty $29.50 price target on the banking giant’s shares.

The post Morgans names 2 ASX 200 dividend shares to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Top ASX shares to buy in January 2022
• These ASX mining, tech, and bank shares could be buys in 2022
• ASX 200 falls on Friday but records 13% gain in 2021
• Morgans names 2 blue chip ASX 200 shares to buy
• Is the Westpac (ASX:WBC) share price a buy for dividends?

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro owns Westpac Banking Corporation. 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 Bruce Jackson.

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S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) listed miners broadly underperformed the index in 2021.

While the ASX 200 gained 13% in the year gone by, mining giant BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) slipped 2%.

Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) had a more difficult year, seeing its share price fall by 12%.

Meanwhile, Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) trailed the other big ASX 200 miners, closing the year down 18%.

There were numerous factors impacting the companies’ share prices over the year which go beyond the scope of this article. But the price of iron ore, a major contributor to their bottom line, was certainly a large one.

Iron ore kicked off 2021 trading for some US$158 per tonne. In July it hit record highs of US$220 per tonne before dropping sharply into November when it reached US$92 per tonne.

Despite some bearish analyst predictions, the metal bounced back in December and is currently worth US$120 per tonne.

That’s above consensus expectations for the average price in 2022. But those expectations may be on the pessimistic side, which would be welcome news to the ASX 200 miners.

ASX 200 mining shares eyeing iron ore prices

Ben Cleary is the portfolio manager at Tribeca Investment Partners’ Global Natural Resources Fund.

As the Australian Financial Review reports, Cleary “is confident iron ore majors such as BHP Group, Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group will enjoy another strong year”.

That’s referring to their longer-term performance.

Over the past 5 years the ASX 200 has gained 31% while BHP is up 66%, Rio shares have gained 67% and the Fortescue share price has soared 223%.

Cleary’s optimistic outlook for the ASX 200 miners stems from his belief that consensus views for the iron ore price in 2022 are too low, just as consensus views came in well below the realised average price in 2021.

Consensus expectations for 2022, as measured by Bloomberg, are for iron ore to average US$90 per tonne.

But Cleary disagrees. He said (quoted by the AFR):

I think iron continues to rally in the first quarter to $US150 a tonne or higher, well above current consensus expectations of $US100 a tonne [for the quarter]. China’s credit impulse is starting to expand after mostly contracting in 2021 and infrastructure demand for iron ore should be particularly strong.

Advantage Fortescue

As mentioned above, Fortescue widely outperformed both the ASX 200 as well as BHP and Rio over the past 5 years, gaining an impressive 223%.

And Cleary believes the miner’s bull run could keep on going. Pointing to its advantages in the green hydrogen space, he said:

Fortescue is the pure-play iron ore exposure and comes with the added benefit of a green hydrogen call option that you are getting for free at current levels. Fortescue is well ahead of peers in terms of hydrogen and ammonia production, and this could be worth $50 a share or more if they execute.

The post Here’s why the ASX 200 miners’ 2022 outlook could be in for a boost appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy
• Here’s why the Fortescue (ASX:FMG) share price has leapt 12% in December
• Analysts rate these ASX 200 dividend shares as buys
• Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) shares are enjoying a Santa rally of their own this month. Here’s why

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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Despite the threat of persistent inflation and rising interest rates hanging over the sector’s head, the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) managed to eke out a 3.72% return out of 2021.

But of course, some of those ASX shares fared better than others.

We’ve already taken a look at the 5 best-performing ASX tech shares from last year. 

Now it’s time for the dreaded worst performing stocks from 2021.

Whether it’s due to governance scandals, financial downgrades, industry consolidation, or COVID-19 impacts, these businesses have copped the proverbial cold shoulder from investors as the year wore on.

Here are the 5 worst tech shares from 2021 from the ASX All Tech index:

Company	2021 share price change
Laybuy Holdings Ltd (ASX: LBY)	(82.31%)
Splitit Ltd (ASX: SPT)	(80.69%)
Bill Identity Ltd (ASX: BID)	(79.32%)
Damstra Holdings Ltd (ASX: DTC)	(77.77%)
Nuix Ltd (ASX: NXL)	(73.33%)

Foreign BNPL businesses bleeding badly on the ASX

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) started 2021 as the hot sector with limitless potential.

While that might still be the case for the concept, investors have cooled on BNPL shares since the revelation in August that US giant Block Inc (NYSE: SQ) would wholly acquire market leader Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT).

That’s been the turbulent background for New Zealand’s Laybuy Holdings Ltd‘s (ASX: LBY) listed life since floating on the ASX in September 2020.

This ASX tech share landed on the bourse with high hopes and an initial public offer price of $1.41 per share.

But after a shocking 82% fall over last year, Laybuy stocks closed 2021 at 24 cents.

At the time of listing, founder and managing director Gary Rohloff told The Motley Fool his company’s payment cycle would be its competitive edge.

“We’re the only buy now, pay later provider in the market that offers a weekly payment option,” he said.

“We’re very simply weekly pay in 6 [payments]. We own that weekly space in New Zealand, I’d argue we own it in Australia, and we definitely own it in the UK.”

Another BNPL provider, New York’s Splitit Ltd (ASX: SPT), was not far behind Laybuy as the worst ASX tech share of 2021.

The stock price had plunged an eye-watering 81% over the year, leaving it with a market capitalisation of just $117.34 million.

Coverage is scarce on the business. But according to CMC Markets, at least Canaccord Genuity analysts currently rate it as a “strong buy” based on its bargain share price of 25 cents.

‘The market appears to have lost short-term confidence’

Microcap Bill Identity Ltd (ASX: BID) saw its share price fall more than 79% over 2021, leaving it to say goodbye to the year at 24 cents.

The Melbourne business automates bill payment processes through its cloud software.

Rounding out the worst 5 honour roll are Damstra Holdings Ltd (ASX: DTC) and Nuix Ltd (ASX: NXL), which saw their shares shrink 78% and 73% respectively.

At its annual general meeting in November, Damstra’s language was far from positive.

The workplace management software company stated “the market appears to have lost short-term confidence” in the business and that it is sharing “the disappointment in [its] share price performance with other investors”.

Yikes.

Nuix’s problems have been all over the front page of not just financial publications like The Motley Fool, but also mainstream newspapers.

After a much-hyped listing in December 2020, the shares peaked at $11.86 in late January.

It’s all been downhill since for this ASX tech share, with a series of governance scandals, alleged insider trading, and financial underperformance. In November, Nuix’s own shareholders started suing it.

The stock farewelled the forgettable year at $2.20.

The post 5 worst ASX 200 tech shares of 2021 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These were the 5 worst performing ASX BNPL shares of 2021
• Insiders have been buying Nuix (ASX:NXL) and this ASX share
• 4 cheapest cloud software ASX shares right now
• Why is the Laybuy (ASX:LBY) share price rocketing 42% today?

Motley Fool contributor Tony Yoo owns Block, Inc. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended Afterpay Limited, Block, Inc., and Damstra Holdings Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Nuix Pty Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns and has recommended Afterpay Limited and Damstra Holdings 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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At lunch on Tuesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to start 2022 in a very positive fashion. The benchmark index is currently up 1.3% to 7,541.1 points.

Here’s what is happening on the ASX 200 today:

Coal miners rise

It has been a great start to the year for coal miners. With Indonesia banning thermal coal exports, coal prices have risen and are being tipped to continue rising if the ban continues. The Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) share price jumped as much as 95% on the news. Morgan Stanley commented on the news, stating: “Losing 40% of the seaborne market overnight, in the midst of peak winter demand, could set us up for another coal price spike.”

Pilbara Minerals share reach new high

Another ASX 200 share rising strongly today has been Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS). The lithium miner’s shares jumped 9% to a record high of $3.51 this morning. This is despite there being no news out of the company. However, as mentioned previously, the team at Macquarie recently reiterated its outperform rating and lifted its price target to $3.70.

Energy share rise

It has been a good start to the year for Australian energy shares. The likes of Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) shares are pushing higher today following a rise in oil prices overnight. News that Libyan output will drop 200,000 barrels per day for one week due to pipeline maintenance gave prices a boost. At the time of writing, the S&P/ASX 200 Energy index is up 3%.

Best and worst ASX 200 performers

The best performer on the ASX 200 on Tuesday has been the Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) share price with a gain of 9.5% on no news. The rare earths producer’s shares were among the best performers on the ASX 200 in 2021. The worst performer today has been the St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) share price with a decline of almost 4% after weakness in the gold price.

The post ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) midday update: Pilbara Minerals hits record high, energy shares rise appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why the Whitehaven Coal (ASX:WHC) share price is jumping 9% today
• These were the 5 worst performing ASX 200 shares in 2021
• These were the 5 best performing ASX 200 shares in 2021
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• These were the best performing ASX 200 shares in December

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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The Imricor Medical Systems Inc. (ASX: IMR) share price is starting 2022 with a bang. This follows the medical device company’s latest announcement that it has further expanded its geographical presence.

It sent Imricor shares soaring to $1.09, up 8.46%, on opening. At the time of writing, they’ve settled to trade at 1.045 apiece, up 3.98%.

What’s driving the Imricor share price higher?

Investors are buying Imricor shares after the company announced it has expanded access for its iCMR ablation solutions.

In its release, Imricor advised that the Henry Dunant Hospital Centre in Athens, Greece will perform iCMR cardiac ablation procedures.

Constructed in 2000, the Henry Dunant Hospital Centre is one of the largest and most technologically advanced hospital centres in southeast Europe.

This is significant as it’s Imricor strategic goal to grow the number of sites performing real-time iCMR cardiac ablation procedures in Europe.

An Equipment and Disposable Pricing Agreement was signed by both companies on 31 December.

Imricor will outfit an existing MR facility for iCMR procedures which are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2022. This will be under the direction of electrophysiologist Professor George Andrikopoulos.

The agreement will see a one-time purchase of capital equipment needed to outfit an iCMR lab at the site. It also includes Imricor’s Advantage-MR EP Recorder/Stimulator as well as other third-party equipment sold by Imricor.

The term of the deal is valid for three years.

Imricor chair and CEO Steve Wedan commented:

We are very excited to work with Professor Andrikopoulos and his world-class team at Henry Dunant to bring iCMR cardiac ablations, for the first time, to patients in Greece.

More broadly, we are very pleased to see the acceleration in our rate of site adoption, adding four sites in the last quarter of 2021, and we remain focused on growing our installed base across Europe, as we enter 2022 with great enthusiasm.

About the Imricor share price

The Imricor share price has failed to take off in the past year, falling more than 50%. Despite being up today, its shares have been on a continuing decline.

Based on current share price levels, the company commands a market capitalisation of around $150 million.

The post Here’s why the Imricor Medical (ASX:IMR) share price is surging 8% today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Imricor Medical (ASX:IMR) share price spikes 6% after expanding trial sites

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 Bruce Jackson.

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Shares in minerals and gold explorer Firefinch Ltd (ASX: FFX) are climbing today and now trade almost 3% higher at 88.75 cents apiece.

In the last 12 months, the Firefinch share price has soared almost 380% and the company’s shares are already in hot demand to start off the trading year.

This upward momentum came as shares popped off a low of 68 cents in December and leapt northwards to close out the year at 86.5 cents apiece.

Today Firefinch shares are lifting as investors respond positively to a company announcement on its Goulamina Lithium project. Here are the details.

Why is the Firefinch share price lifting today?

Firefinch announced that a Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Goulamina Lithium Project has been approved.

The company gave an update that demonstrated a pre-tax net present value (NPV) of $4.1 billion and a post-tax internal rate of return (IRR) of 83%.

Following these “overwhelmingly positive” results, the boards of both Firefinch and Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd. have now approved the FID.

The pair have agreed to waive a final US$91 million payment that was baked into the FID upon the formation of the Goulamina Joint Venture (JV).

Firefinch says the major remaining condition precedent to the formation of the JV is the “transfer of the Project Exploitation Licence to a single purpose Malian subsidiary as required by Malian legislation”.

The transfer is expected in early 2022 and, upon the satisfaction of other condition precedents, will allow the
formation of the Goulamina JV per the release.

Final payment of Ganfeng’s US$130 million contribution and the US$39 million first payment made last year are expected in early 2022.

Ganfeng has also agreed to either provide $40 million of provided debt or to arrange up to US$120 million in third party debt (previously agreed up to US$64 million).

This decision came about after the feasibility study on the JV increased capital costs from US$194 million to US$255 million.

Management commentary

Speaking on the announcement, Firefinch Managing Director, Dr Michael Anderson, said:

The approval of FID represents yet another major milestone for the Goulamina Project. Clearly the outcomes of the DFS Update have been extremely compelling to the Boards of both companies and it is a testimony to the project’s credentials that the partners have moved so quickly and collaboratively to commit to the development of Goulamina. We sincerely look forward to maintaining the positive momentum into the New Year as site-based activities increase.

What’s next for Firefinch?

Firefinch says it will continue working with Gangfeng to move forward with early-stage engineering, drilling and various community and environmental works in order to fast track the development of the project.

Firefinch’s costs will also be reimbursed by the Goulamina JV once it is established, the release notes.

The post Here’s why the Firefinch (ASX:FFX) share price is flying higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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The author has no positions 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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