Tag: Motley Fool

  • Here’s why the Global Lithium (ASX:GL1) share price leapt today

    Two excited mining workers in yellow high vis vests and hardhats shake hands to congratulate each other on a mineral discovery at the mine

    The Global Lithium Resources Ltd (ASX: GL1) share price climbed today amid positive lithium results.

    Shares in the company were trading at 63 cents apiece at market close today, up 3.3%.

    Let’s take a closer look at what the mining company announced.

    What did Global Lithium discover?

    The Global Lithium share price finished the day higher on Tuesday after the company revealed significant lithium assay results from its exploration program at the Marble Bar lithium project.

    Global Lithium is an emerging lithium company exploring the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

    Drill holes at the project site intersected a large amount of lithium mineralisation at previously unexplored areas.

    The company said these intercepts show the ongoing success of the exploration program and the growth potential of the project.

    The company said the significance of spodumene found between the Archer deposit and the Brockman zone “demonstrates that the system is larger than originally thought and the company intends to follow up on these targets in CY2022”.

    Speaking on the strong results which likely boosted the Global Lithium share price today, managing director Jamie Wright said:

    The high success rate of the program vindicates the targeting effort by the Global Lithium and Resource Potentials’ teams and provides a strong platform for the 2022 exploration campaign.

    The lithium market remains strong and we expect this momentum to continue into 2022 and beyond.

    In 2022, the company will focus on new lithium targets at the mining site that are yet to be tested.

    Global Lithium share price snap shot

    The Global Lithium share price has rocketed 213% in the past 12 months after the company joined the ASX in May.

    For perspective, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has returned more than 9% in the past year.

    In the past month, the company’s shares have gained 6%. They are also up 6% in the past week.

    The miner has a market capitalisation of nearly $69 million based on its current share price.

    The post Here’s why the Global Lithium (ASX:GL1) share price leapt today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Global Lithium right now?

    Before you consider Global Lithium , 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 Global Lithium wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for nearly 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.

    *Returns as of August 16th 2021

    More reading

    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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  • 2 top tech ETFs for 2022

    A corporate female wearing glasses looks intently at a virtual reality screen with shapes and lights

    The two tech exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in this article could be leading ideas to consider for 2022.

    Businesses in the technology sector are able to grow quickly and achieve good profit margins due to the intangible nature of the service that they typically provide.

    These twos could be one to watch:

    VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF (ASX: ESPO)

    This tech ETF owns some of the largest businesses globally that are involved in video game development, eSports and related hardware and software.

    These businesses are ones that make a significant portion of their revenue from the video gaming and e-sports industry. The companies involved are benefiting from the increasing popularity of video games, according to VanEck.

    E-sports revenue has grown by an average of 28% per year since 2015, whilst video game revenue overall has grown by an average of 12% per year over the same time period.

    In mid-December, these are the businesses that have a weighting of more than 4% in the tech ETF: Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices, Tencent, Nintendo, Netease.com, Roblox, Bandai Namco, Take Two Interactive, Unity Software, Activision Blizzard, Sea, Electronic Arts and Nexon. There are a total of 26 positions in the portfolio.

    VanEck also points out that these businesses offer diversification opportunities away from Apple, Amazon, Facebook, Alphabet/Google and Microsoft.

    E-sports has opened up a number of new potential revenue streams for the companies involved like game publisher fees, media rights, merchandise, ticket sales and advertising.

    Global games revenue is/was predicted to grow from $US100 billion in 2016 to US$200 billion by 2023.

    Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

    This ETF is about providing investors with exposure to 50 of the biggest technology businesses outside of Japan.

    Since February 2021, the tech ETF has dropped by around 25%. So, prices are quite a bit lower than they were earlier in the year.

    Despite recent declines, some of these businesses are among the biggest in the world, such as: Samsung, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Tencent, Alibaba, Meituan, Infosys, JD.com, Sea, Pinduoduo and Netease.

    The Asian population is seeing a rapid rise in the number of middle class, which allows for more spending on discretionary areas, such as technology and entertainment.

    Outlining one of the bullish points about the ETF, BetaShares says that due to its younger, tech-savvy population, Asia is surpassing the West in terms of technological adoption and the sector is anticipated to remain a growth sector.

    There are four countries that have significant weightings within the Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF portfolio are: China (46.2%), Taiwan (24.6%), South Korea (17.3%) and India (6.6%). So, China features heavily here.

    There are various tech sectors within this tech ETF’s portfolio, including: internet and direct marketing (25.9%), semiconductors (20.6%), interactive media and services (17.1%), technology hardware, storage and peripherals (12.9%) and interactive home entertainment (10.1%).

    This ETF has an annual management fee of 0.67% per annum.

    The post 2 top tech ETFs for 2022 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 more than eight 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.

    *Returns as of August 16th 2021

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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 recommended BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF and 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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  • What boosted ASX 200 travel shares on Tuesday?

    A smiling woman in a hat holding a ticket takes selfie inside a plane next to the window.

    Many S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) travel shares soared today amid news the calamity resulting from the Omicron COVID-19 variant hasn’t dinted Australian consumer confidence.

    The latest findings from Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX: ANZ) and Roy Morgan showed consumer confidence increased 0.4% last week – its third consecutive weekly gain – despite rising Omicron cases.

    Additionally, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) noted similar observations earlier this month.

    The minutes for the RBA monetary policy meeting stated the variant increased uncertainty around international travel in November but didn’t impact long-term outlooks.

    ASX 200 travel shares took to the skies on Tuesday

    ASX 200 travel shares were among the winners on Tuesday, with the Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) share price leading the pack. The travel agent’s stock gained 3.89%.

    Meanwhile, that of Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB) increased 3.17% and Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) ended the day 0.84% higher.

    For context, the ASX 200 Index gained 0.86% today.

    Consumer confidence and travel outlook unchanged by variant

    Consumer confidence soared 4.8% in New South Wales last week and Victoria recorded a 1.1% spike. However, all other states reported modest falls. The gains came despite increasing numbers of new Omicron cases.

    According to ANZ senior economist Adelaide Timbrell, lower rates of hospitalisations associated with the Omicron variant likely helped consumers’ outlooks.

    Right now, 32% of Australians say their families are better off than they were this time last year. At the same time, 38% say they expect their family will be better off financially this time next year.

    Meanwhile, the RBA believes the outlook for travel and education exports improved over November.

    Additionally, it predicted education exports will contribute to Australia’s GDP in the coming years.

    Though, the RBA board noted the Omicron variant had “clouded” near-term outlooks. Particularly, as it could lead to travel hesitancy.

    What else might have driven travel shares higher?

    Potentially also buoying ASX 200 travel shares is the easing of restrictions for international arrivals.

    As of today, those arriving in New South Wales and Victoria from overseas no longer have to isolate for 72 hours.

    Instead, they only need to isolate until they test negative for COVID-19.

    All arrivals must receive a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of landing. Additionally, travellers to Australia have to be tested for COVID-19 within 72 hours of boarding their flight.

    Speaking on the newly relaxed rules, New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet commented:

    We know it has been a challenging time for international travel with new rules and the emergence of the Omicron variant, but this announcement is about simplifying the process and making sure Australia’s two biggest cities have a consistent approach.

    New South Wales also upped the penalty for disregarding isolation, testing, and quarantine requirements. Noncompliance now risks fines of up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for corporations.

    The post What boosted ASX 200 travel shares on Tuesday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Flight Centre right now?

    Before you consider Flight Centre, 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 Flight Centre wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for nearly 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.

    *Returns as of August 16th 2021

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended 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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  • Why has the Moneyme (ASX:MME) share price jumped 11% today?

    A man in a blue collared shirt sits at his desk doing a single fist pump as he watches his Neometals shares rising on his laptop

    The Moneyme Ltd (ASX: MME) share price finished 11% higher today amid the company’s announcement of a new warehouse funding facility with Morgan Stanley Australia as its partner.

    The fintech company says the move will bolster Moneyme’s Autopay platform for motor vehicle finance.

    At market close, the Moneyme share price finished at $1.96 a share, up 11.05% on the day. 

    Moneyme’s response to company growth

    According to today’s announcement, Moneyme’s new funding model will inject an additional $200 million into the company’s “high growth Autopay product”.

    The partnership will secure funds at less than 3% above the BBSW (bank bill swap rate), used as a short-term benchmark rate.

    Moneyme says the new facility will allow it to cut its lending costs.

    It will also pave the way for the company to gain further traction in the heated motor vehicle lending market.

    Morgan Stanley will be the senior funder of the new Moneyme facility with Revolution Asset Management the Mezzanine funder.

    Moneyme managing director and CEO Clayton Howes said:

    The new Autopay warehouse will further reduce our funding costs, and combined with our variable rate credit products we are well placed to counter upward pressure to the cash rate.

    This warehouse is significant for Autopay’s growth in 2022 as we expect market demand for Autopay to increase further with major long term players exiting the market.

    It’s clear the company is looking to capitalise on the departure of several traditional lenders in the auto finance sector, including Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) which sold its vehicle dealer finance and novated leasing business in June.

    In other news from Moneyme today, the company also announced a further 10% increase to the funding capacity of its Horizon 2020 Trust (HW20) Major Bank, bringing it to $467 million.

    It comes after the announcement of a boost to its Horizon 2020 warehouse facility capacity in June.

    Just last week, Moneyme announced the acquisition of digital finance provider SocietyOne for $132 million.

    Moneyme share price snapshot

    The Moneyme share price has seen a positive six months, leaping 75% in the six weeks from 10 May to 2 July.

    It seems this was spurred by a positive trading update in mid-June. The company’s share price has remained in the elevated range ever since.

    At its current share price, the company has a market capitalisation of over $335 million with 171 million shares issued.

    The post Why has the Moneyme (ASX:MME) share price jumped 11% today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for more than eight 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.

    *Returns as of August 16th 2021

    More reading

    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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  • Forget Christmas! Could these ASX retail shares be set for a Boxing Day bonanza?

    A smiling woman walks along the street with shopping bags over her shoulder.

    It’s often held that the lead-up to Christmas is the best part of an ASX retail share’s calendar. Indeed, most of us usually spend a few hours over December (or perhaps November for the ultra-organised) scouring shops and online stores for various gifts and presents. But these days, the period following Christmas can be just as lucrative for ASX retail shares. Thank the rise of the Boxing Day sales. Plenty of post-Christmas cash, some time off work… who wouldn’t want to head to the shops and snare a few bargains?

    But how much of a cash bonanza can Aussie retail companies look forward to this year?

    Well, a new report from Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) sheds some light on that question.

    ASX retail shares could be set for a bumper end to the year

    According to the report, CBA is expecting Australians to unleash a $4 billion tidal wave of cash over this year’s Boxing Day sales period. CBA’s research found that 69% of those surveyed are planning to bag a bargain or two at this year’s sales.

    Some 40% of those surveyed also were in a position to predict how much they would be willing to drop into retailers’ pockets. The average spend is expected to be $557, a very healthy 14% rise from the $457 spent last year.

    CBA’s card data also found that customers are looking likely to spend 22% more this December across their debit and credit cards than the average of all the other months of 2021.

    That will no doubt be music to the ears of the ASX’s largest retail shares such as JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH), Premier Investments Limited (ASX: PMV), Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL), and Kogan.com Ltd (ASX: KGN).

    Kate Crous, executive general manager at CBA Everyday Banking, said of the report’s findings:

    As the nation bounces back, Australians are embracing shopping and are excited to hit the sales. This is welcome news for retailers, who are keen to see consumers return after a tough few months, and is also great for consumers hoping to get good value from their shopping.

    I need your clothes, your boots, and your… dishwasher

    Clothing retailers look set to be the biggest beneficiaries of this potential wave of spending. Fair enough. With the lockdowns that most Aussies have endured this year, a new wardrobe might be in order for many. CBA found that 57% of those surveyed were intending on splashing out on some new threads or kicks.

    But technology, home electricals, white goods, and homeware and furniture are also tipped to be big winners. So perhaps ASX retail shares like Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK), Adairs Ltd (ASX: ADH), or Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) also have some cash coming their way.

    Wherever this holiday period takes us, there will no doubt be more than a few ASX retail shares eyeing a potentially very merry Christmas right now, if CBA’s report is to be believed.

    The post Forget Christmas! Could these ASX retail shares be set for a Boxing Day bonanza? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you consider Commonwealth Bank, you’ll want to hear this.

    Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Commonwealth Bank wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for nearly 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.

    *Returns as of August 16th 2021

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen owns ADAIRS FPO and Kogan.com ltd. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended ADAIRS FPO, Kogan.com ltd, Super Retail Group Limited, and Temple & Webster Group Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns and has recommended ADAIRS FPO, Kogan.com ltd, and Super Retail Group Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Premier Investments Limited and Temple & Webster Group 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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  • This just caused the Vection (ASX:VR1) share price to leap 17%

    Man jumps for joy in front of a background of a rising stocks graphic.

    The Vection Technologies Ltd (ASX: VR1) share price stormed higher today. This comes after the company announced a market update and revenue guidance for the 2022 fiscal year.

    At the closing bell, the real-time software company’s shares finished the day at 17 cents, up 17.39%.

    How is Vection performing for FY22?

    Investors have been driving up the Vection share price after digesting the company’s latest financial figures.

    In a statement to the ASX, Vection advised that it has outperformed its first-half FY22 Total Contract Value (TCV) target.

    Earlier this month, the company revealed it exceed its TCV goal by $1 million, reaching a milestone of $11 million. Notably, the metric represented an increase of 120% compared to the FY22 first quarter TCV level of $5 million.

    As such, Vection now expects a first-half fiscal year 2022 revenue guidance of between $8 million to $9 million. The full fiscal year 2022 revenue guidance is anticipated to come around $17 million to $19 million.

    Second quarter cash receipts from clients are projected to be more than $3.5 million. This is assumed to lead to half-year cash receipts from clients in excess of $6.3 million.

    The company is seeking to accelerate its aggressive global acquisition strategy targeting the XR and metaverse enterprise technology sector. It believes the technology suite delivers high growth potential through broad industrial adoption.

    Vection Technologies Managing Director, Gianmarco Biagi commented:

    Our growing global team, clients, leading partnerships and TCV give us comfort in providing the market with a revenue guidance of $8 to $9 million for the first half fiscal year 2022, with full fiscal year revenue guidance of $17 to $19 million.

    A strong global client base provides strong credibility to grow major multinational sales channels across consultancy firms’ clients. With a strong M&A focussed war-chest, we are positioned to leverage an aggressive programmatic acquisition approach to drive XR organic growth during 2022 and 2023, to deliver continued shareholder return.

    Vection share price snapshot

    Over the past 12 months, the Vection share price has lifted 13%, with year-to-date around 8% higher.

    The company’s shares reached an all-time high of 29 cents last month, before sharply pulling back and erasing the gains.

    Based on today’s price, Vection commands a market capitalisation of around $143.26 million and has 1.10 billion shares on issue.

    The post This just caused the Vection (ASX:VR1) share price to leap 17% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Vection right now?

    Before you consider Vection, 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 Vection wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for nearly 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.

    *Returns as of August 16th 2021

    More reading

    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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  • Here are the top 10 ASX shares today

    Top 10 ASX 200 shares today

    Today, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) bucked the trend set on Wall Street last night. Instead of mimicking the US market and moving to the downside, Aussie equities pushed higher. At the end of the session, the benchmark index finished 0.86% higher at 7,355 points.

    It was a pleasing sight on the ASX boards today, with plenty of green to be seen. The only sector that succumbed to a negative session was the real estate sector. However, an impressive gain of 4.1% in the healthcare sector more than made up for it. In addition, energy and mining shares experienced strong support during trade.

    However, the question is: which shares delivered the biggest returns to investors on the ASX today? Here are the top ten stocks that came through for investors:

    Top 10 ASX shares countdown today

    Looking at the top 200 listed companies, CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) was the biggest gainer today. Shares in the biotechnology giant climbed 5.18% amid the official opening of its share purchase plan to raise capital for its recently announced acquisition of Vifor Pharma. Find out more about CSL here.

    The next biggest gaining ASX share today was Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P). The buy now, pay later provider added 5.09% despite there being no new announcements from the company. Uncover the latest Zip Co details here.

    Today’s top 10 biggest gains were made in these ASX shares:

    ASX-listed company Share price Price change
    CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) $287.94 5.18%
    Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P) $4.34 5.09%
    Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) $2.57 4.47%
    Cimic Group Ltd (ASX: CIM) $16.54 4.16%
    Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) $20.51 4.11%
    Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) $217.02 3.84%
    New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) $2.18 3.81%
    Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) $17.01 3.34%
    Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG) $29.91 3.32%
    Washington H Soul Pattinson & Company Ltd (ASX: SOL) $30.55 3.28%
    Data as at 4:00pm AEDT

    Our top 10 ASX shares today countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary to ensure you know which companies were making big moves on the day. Check-in at Fool.com.au after the market has closed during weekdays to see which stocks make the countdown.

    The post Here are the top 10 ASX shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for more than eight 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.

    *Returns as of August 16th 2021

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Mitchell Lawler has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended CSL Ltd., Cochlear Ltd., and ZIPCOLTD FPO. The Motley Fool Australia owns and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear Ltd. and Flight Centre Travel 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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  • Invested in Afterpay (ASX:APT) shares? Here’s what to watch in 2022

    surprised shopper, unexpected news, person at computer with payment card,

    It has been a wild year for the Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) share price. From setting new all-time highs to setting 52-week lows, and everywhere in between — it has been a stomach-churning period for the buy now, pay later (BNPL) company.

    Like each year that has come before, 2021’s chapter is coming to an end, but with it comes a new chapter. Shareholders will be hoping for greener pastures after a disappointing performance this year.

    Being joined at the hip with the Block Inc (NYSE: SQ) (formerly Square Inc) share price, Afterpay shares have been dragged lower during the recent weakness in tech. Since the deal’s announcement, the Afterpay share price has fallen 35%.

    But, what can investors expect to see in 2022 from the former market darling?

    When might Afterpay shares vanish?

    In most cases, hearing of your shares vanishing is the last thing you want to hear. However, for Afterpay shareholders, it is a top priority. After receiving an unequivocal 99.95% shareholder vote for Afterpay’s acquisition by Block, investors are ready for the deal to be solidified.

    According to an update last week, the scheme of arrangement is now legally effective. The only hurdle left in the way is a condition of the Bank of Spain. At this stage, Afterpay anticipates the implementation will occur in Q1 of the 2022 calendar year.

    For this reason, it is likely at some point next year thar Afterpay shares will cease to exist. In their place will be Block Inc shares at a 0.375 for 1 exchange rate.

    What else?

    In early 2022, Afterpay will be offering its flexible payment solution to the subscription economy. Announced on 24 November, the BNPL brand unveiled the expansion of its services to merchants in the United States and Australia.

    In short, Afterpay customers will be able to pay for their gym memberships, entertainment subscriptions, and other subscriptions via the instalment mechanism. Plans are already in the works to extend the feature to other regions including Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Europe.

    Afterpay shares are down 30% since the beginning of the year.

    The post Invested in Afterpay (ASX:APT) shares? Here’s what to watch in 2022 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Afterpay right now?

    Before you consider Afterpay, 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 Afterpay wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for nearly 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.

    *Returns as of August 16th 2021

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Mitchell Lawler owns AFTERPAY T FPO. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended AFTERPAY T FPO and Block, Inc. The Motley Fool Australia owns and has recommended AFTERPAY T FPO. 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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  • Why is the Flight Centre (ASX:FLT) share price taking to the skies on Tuesday?

    Young girl smiles with her hand on top of a suitcase while standing on the tarmac with an aeroplane in the background.

    The Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) share price is taking off in a feat that seems to be at odds with international Omicron outbreaks.

    At the time of writing, the Flight Centre share price is $17.10, 3.89% higher than its previous close.

    However, the company isn’t alone in its gains. The Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB) share price is also surging today, up by more than 3% in late afternoon trading.

    For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 0.88% right now.

    Let’s take a look at what might be driving the travel agent’s stock higher today.

    Could this be boosting the Flight Centre share price?

    The Flight Centre share price is soaring today despite an overnight downturn for international travel shares.

    As the Omicron COVID-19 variant spreads, travel to various parts of the world is once more being halted.

    Today, New Zealand delayed the reopening of its borders until late February. Meanwhile, Israel has mandated quarantine for travellers from the United States and banned travel from numerous other nations.

    Additionally, according to CNN Travel, several European countries have reinstated COVID-19 restrictions while the Netherlands goes into lockdown.

    The share prices of Booking Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: BKNG), Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ: MAR), and Southwest Airlines Co (NYSE: LUV), as well as many other US-listed travel stocks, all slipped into the red overnight, potentially spurred by the international Omicron outbreak.

    However, the Flight Centre share price might be gaining on domestic news. As of today, restrictions for international arrivals into Australia have eased.

    International arrivals landing in Melbourne and Sydney will no longer need to isolate for 72 hours. Instead, they will only have to isolate until they receive a negative COVID-19 test.

    When announcing the change last week, New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet commented:

    This decision has been made with safety remaining the top priority, which is why all arrivals must return a negative PCR test before they can exit isolation and have an additional test following that.

    Finally, the Flight Centre share price might be simply recovering from its recent tumble. Over the course of last week, the travel company’s stock fell 6% despite its silence. Thus, today’s movements might be a simple correction.

    The post Why is the Flight Centre (ASX:FLT) share price taking to the skies on Tuesday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Flight Centre right now?

    Before you consider Flight Centre, 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 Flight Centre wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for nearly 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.

    *Returns as of August 16th 2021

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Booking Holdings, 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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  • Is the Transurban (ASX:TCL) share price in the buy zone for income investors?

    ASX dividend shares represented by cash in jeans back pocket

    The Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) share price has continued to trade sideways this month.

    This has largely been the case all year, with the toll road operator’s shares up just 1% in 2021.

    Can the Transurban share price climb higher?

    The team at Morgans believe there’s room for the Transurban share price to push higher from here. Together with its attractive and growing dividend yield, the broker appears to believe this make it a good option for income investors.

    According to a note, its analysts have retained their add rating but trimmed their price target on the company’s shares to $14.57.

    Based on the current Transurban share price, this implies a return of 6% for investors before dividends and 8.5% including the 35 cents per share dividend the broker is forecasting in FY 2022.

    Though, it is worth noting that Morgans expects a big increase in Transurban’s dividend the following year to 55.2 cents. This represents a far more generous yield of 4% for investors.

    What did the broker say?

    Morgans notes that Transurban has reached an agreement with the Victorian Government and the CPB John Holland Joint Venture on revised terms for the delivery of the West Gate Tunnel Project (WGPT).

    This will see Transurban contribute an additional $2 billion to the WGTP across FY 2023 to FY 2026, which is $0.9 billion above what Morgans had previously assumed.

    And while it thinks the size of Transurban’s “financial contribution to complete the WGTP will be disappointing for investors, resolution of the dispute removes a major uncertainty.”

    Furthermore, the broker believes the “NPV impact is partly reduced by the later phasing of the spend and also by the increased tax depreciation shield it creates until concession end.”

    Why invest?

    Morgans remains positive on the future and notes that there are a number of trends that are supportive of Transurban’s growth.

    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.”

    The post Is the Transurban (ASX:TCL) share price in the buy zone for income investors? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Transurban right now?

    Before you consider Transurban, 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 Transurban wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for nearly 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.

    *Returns as of August 16th 2021

    More reading

    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.

    from The Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/3ei1l1z