Tag: Motley Fool

  • Here’s what a top broker thinks of the Ardent Leisure Group (ASX:ALG) share price

    People on a rollercoaster waving hands in the air, indicating a plummeting or rising share price

    Ardent shares are now exchanging hands at $1.50 apiece, up 0.33% on the opening of trade on Wednesday.

    Zooming out, the Ardent Leisure Group (ASX: ALG) share price has soared firmly into the green over the last week. In the past seven days, shares in the theme park operator have climbed 54% up until the open on Wednesday.

    Why is the Ardent Leisure Group share price climbing over the last week?

    Investors have been buying Ardent shares after the company released its FY21 earnings report last week.

    In it, Ardent recognised an approximate 2% decrease in revenue for the year but grew EBITDA by 166% to just over $67 million.

    Ardent is also optimistic about realising the pent up demand for visitation of its theme parks as coronavirus begins to settle, and has four new centre openings scheduled for FY22.

    What are analysts saying?

    One leading broker JP Morgan believes the recent run-up in the Ardent Leisure share price could be a buying opportunity.

    According to a note released to investors, JP Morgan has updated its modelling and also upgraded its rating on Ardent shares from underweight to overweight.

    As such, it has increased its price target for the company’s shares from 75 cents to $1.75. This implies an upside potential of approximately 10% from Ardent’s opening price on Wednesday.

    What did the broker say?

    JP Morgan believes Ardent’s FY21 results have “invalidated a number of (its) key concerns” regarding the Ardent Leisure share price.

    The investment bank previously held the posture that Ardent’s recovery was “being driven solely by government stimulus”.

    Commenting on its reasoning, JP Morgan said:

    Strong trading has continued into 4Q21 and early FY22 highlighting that demand is less stimulus led than we had thought. Secondly, with earnings now returned to record levels, this de-risks our concern that ALG’s private equity partner would be able to exercise their option over 51% of Main Event and reap the majority of the recovery upside.

    It went on to add that “a sale of Main Event would see ALG move to a significant net cash position after a period of financial struggles which pre-dated the COVID-19 pandemic”.

    As a result, the broker has updated its modelling to “reflect (Ardent’s) much better than expected FY21 result”.

    Bringing it all together, this leading broker believes that investors can expect further strengths in the Ardent Leisure share price over the coming periods.

    Ardent Leisure Group share price snapshot

    The Ardent Leisure share price has gained 117% over the year to date, extending the gain over the previous 12 months to 252%.

    In the past month alone, Ardent shares have climbed a further 53% into the green.

    These results have far outpaced the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO)’s return of around 25% over the past year.

    The post Here’s what a top broker thinks of the Ardent Leisure Group (ASX:ALG) share price appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Ardent Leisure right now?

    Before you consider Ardent Leisure, 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 Ardent Leisure 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

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  • APA Group (ASX:APA) confirms potential Basslink Bank acquisition

    changing asx share price from acqusition represented by man reaching out to touch acquisition sign

    The APA Group (ASX: APA) share price has sunk around 1% in the red in early trade on Wednesday.

    APA shares are on the move as the energy player responded to media speculation about discussions it is holding with Keppel Infrastructure Trust.

    What did APA Group announce?

    APA confirmed in an announcement that it is in “confidential, exclusive and incomplete” discussions with Keppel Infrastructure to potentially acquire Basslink Pty Ltd.

    Keppel Infrastructure Trust is “the largest diversified business trust in Singapore” and has over $5 billion in assets under management (AUM).

    Basslink owns and operates a “370km high voltage, direct current (HVDC) electricity interconnector” that links the electricity grids of Victoria and Tasmania, running across Bass Strait to do so.

    According to the release, APA has submitted the “confidential, conditional and incomplete” proposal to Keppel. No terms were specified of the conditional proposal, but APA did state it has $1.9 billion in “available liquidity” as of 30 June.

    The acquisition would add to APA’s extensive list of energy assets that comprise a portfolio worth approximately $21 billion.

    APA stresses that while all discussions are exclusive, they are incomplete, and that “no definitive agreement has been reached” between any parties involved.

    APA Group share price snapshot

    The APA Group share price has struggled this year to date, posting a loss of around 6% since January. Over the last 12 months things aren’t much better, sinking 12% in the red.

    For context, the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) climbed around 25% over the past year.

    The post APA Group (ASX:APA) confirms potential Basslink Bank acquisition appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you consider APA Group , 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 APA Group 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 author Zach Bristow 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 owns shares of and has recommended APA Group. 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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  • Metcash (ASX:MTS) share price drops following trading update

    a woman ponders products on a supermarket shelf while holding a tin in one hand and holding her chin with the other.

    The Metcash Limited (ASX: MTS) share price is trading lower on Wednesday morning.

    At the time of writing, the wholesale distributor’s shares are down 1% to $4.03.

    Why is the Metcash share price trading lower?

    The Metcash share price has come under pressure today after broad market weakness offset the release of a positive trading update ahead of its annual general meeting.

    According to the update, Metcash has started FY 2022 in a positive fashion, with trading continuing to be strong in all pillars and well above pre-COVID levels in FY 2020.

    Management notes that a key driver of this is a shift in consumer behaviour. This includes more local neighbourhood shopping, the move from city to regional areas, more eating at home, home consumption of liquor substituting on-premise consumption, less overseas travel and duty free shopping, and a high level of home renovation and DIY activity.

    Also underpinning its strong form has been the improved competitiveness of its store network supported by its MFuture program, COVID-related trading restrictions in Australia and New Zealand, and manageable increases in COVID-related costs.

    How are its businesses performing?

    For the first 16 weeks of FY 2022, Supermarket sales were down 1.8% over the same period last year. However, they are up a solid 12.9% over the prior corresponding period in FY 2020. This led to total Food sales falling 7.4% over the prior corresponding period or 1.4% excluding the impact of the 7-Eleven contract loss.

    Things have been a lot more positive for its Liquor and Hardware businesses. Total liquor sales are up 9.5% over the same period last year, whereas Hardware sales are up 16.3% year on year.

    In respect to the latter, management notes that Trade sales have continued to be strong, buoyed by a high level of residential construction and renovations activity. This has more than offset a decline in DIY compared with the same period in FY 2021.

    One slight concern, though, is that strong demand is continuing to put pressure on stock availability, particularly for timber.

    What else was announced?

    Metcash’s Chairman, Rob Murray, also revealed the company is looking to make its operations even more efficient.

    He explained: “We are also investing in a new project named ‘Horizon’ which aims to drive efficiencies through simplification, as well as growth through making it easier to do business with Metcash. This will be a staged program with the first phase focused on simplification and building a better future operating platform.”

    However, despite this and its strong start to FY 2022, it hasn’t been enough to stop the Metcash share price from dropping into the red today.

    Nevertheless, the Metcash share price is still beating the market this year with a gain of 18% in 2021.

    The post Metcash (ASX:MTS) share price drops following trading update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you consider Metcash, 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 Metcash 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.

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  • 4DMedical (ASX:4DX) share price is lifting on its covid-related technology

    a smiling doctor looks at her computer screen with medical imaging X-rays on a light screen in the background.

    The  4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) share price is in the green this morning. That’s after the healthcare company announced it will move on to phase-2 clinical trials for its respiratory scanning technology.

    At the time of writing, shares in the company are trading for $1.62 – up 1.57% after earlier hitting $1.65. The ASX All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), meanwhile, is 0.75% lower.

    Let’s take a closer look at today’s news.

    4DMedical share price rises on latest announcement

    In a statement to the ASX, 4DMedical says it will progress to phase 2 clinical trials for its XV Lung Ventilation Analysis Software (XV LVAS) – a respiratory imaging platform. The trials are being completed in partnership with I-MED Radiology Network (I-MED).

    The company says its technology provided “valuable insights” into a plethora of respiratory diseases, including asthma, silicosis, and long-COVID. Long-COVID refers to the continuation of symptoms felt by some covid patients long after acquiring the infection.

    Phase one trials were conducted in Victoria. 4DMedical says the next stage will be completed in a different state “over the remainder of the year”. The company is still looking into a commercial partnership with I-MED going forward.

    Investors clearly love today’s announcement, judging by the rising 4DMedical share price.

    Management commentary

    4DMedical founder and CEO Andreas Fouras said:

    We are very excited to be conducting a clinical pilot with I-MED – a leader of pioneering new medical imaging technologies – to provide doctors and patients with improved insight into their lung health. Phase One of the clinical pilot was an overwhelming success with radiologists and patients reporting strong positive feedback. Although the partnership is not generating revenue at this stage, we aim to secure a commercial XV LVAS contract with I-MED provided that Phase Two is successful.

    I-MED General Manager of external partnerships and government relations Mark Simpson added

    Patients involved in the Phase One pilot overwhelmingly reported a positive experience. Beyond the technical success of the program, this important comfort and compliance metric shows we can adopt such transformative technologies without detriment to patient satisfaction, sustaining our ongoing commitment to outstanding patient care.

    4DMedical share price snapshot

    Over the past12 months, the 4DMedical share price has increased around 14%. It’s underperformed the All Ords Index by approximately 12 percentage points in that time.

    4D Medical has a market capitalisation of around $342 million.

    The post 4DMedical (ASX:4DX) share price is lifting on its covid-related technology appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in 4DMedical right now?

    Before you consider 4DMedical, 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 4DMedical 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 Marc Sidarous 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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  • This ASX 200 share delivered the highest share price gains this earnings season

    A boy is excited because he won the computer game.

    The ASX 200 share that delivered the highest share price gains this earnings season goes to… WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC).

    Why WiseTech topped the ASX 200 last month

    The WiseTech share price surged sky high on 25 August after the company released its FY21 results.

    It would rally as much as 58.7% to an all-time high of $57.31 before lunchtime, before closing 28.5% higher at $46.50.

    Perhaps what’s equally as impressive is the fact that WiseTech shares have managed to steadily grind higher post-earnings.

    Tuesday marked a record close for the company’s shares, lifting 5.73% to $48.34. That’s a cool 57% increase in August.

    The race for the best performance last month was close. We saw Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) lift 39% following its takeover offer from Square Inc (NASDAQ: SQ). And Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd. (ASX: DMP) ran 34% higher after an upbeat FY21 results announcement.

    How did WiseTech perform in FY21?

    WiseTech emerged as the best performing ASX 200 share this earnings season after its FY21 results topped its own expectations.

    Revenue increased 18% to $507.5 million, at the top end of its guidance range of $470 million to $510 million.

    Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 63% to $206.7 million, exceeding its guidance range of $165 million to $190 million.

    In addition, underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) doubled to $105.8 million, while free cash flow also delivered a triple-digit increase of 149% to $139.2 million.

    WiseTech founder and CEO Richard White commented on the improving logistics market and tailwinds for the business.

    We have continued to see a ‘goods-led’ recovery in global trade resulting in tighter capacity, congestion and higher rates in global logistics channels. Whilst these higher rates do not translate into immediate revenue growth for WiseTech, we are benefiting from the acceleration of the longer-term structural changes that they are driving. In particular, we are seeing consolidation within the sector and increased investment in replacing legacy systems with integrated global technology, such as CargoWise, that drives productivity and facilitates planning, visualisation and control of global operations.

    WiseTech provided a positive outlook ahead, forecasting 18% to 25% revenue growth and 26% to 38% EBITDA growth for FY22.

    The post This ASX 200 share delivered the highest share price gains this earnings season appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you consider WiseTech Global, 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 WiseTech Global 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 Kerry Sun has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and has recommended AFTERPAY T FPO, Square, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended AFTERPAY T FPO and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Dominos Pizza Enterprises 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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  • Why the Imugene (ASX:IMU) share price is tumbling 7%

    a doctor with stethoscope around neck sits as a computer with head in hand, looking despondent.

    The Imugene Limited (ASX: IMU) share price is on the move on Wednesday morning.

    In early trade, the clinical stage immunooncology company’s shares were down 7% to 38.5 cents.

    The Imugene share price has now rebounded and is trading largely flat.

    Why is the Imugene share price bouncing around?

    Investors were selling down the Imugene share price despite the release of a positive announcement relating to its HER-Vaxx immunotherapy in HER-2 positive gastric cancer trial.

    The Phase 2 HER-Vaxx clinical trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and immune response in metastatic gastric cancer overexpressing the HER-2 protein. Imugene’s study is randomised into two arms of either HER-Vaxx plus standard-of-care (SOC) chemotherapy or SOC chemotherapy alone.

    The primary endpoint is overall survival (OS) and secondary endpoint includes progression free survival (PFS) by independent central review.

    What’s the latest?

    According to the release, 36 patients have been enrolled and 24 have achieved a PFS event in this signal generating study. Imugene is still awaiting the events needed for OS evaluation and will subsequently analyse all data when available.

    In respect to its PFS data, while Imugene’s PFS hazard ratio was higher than the initial interim data from last year, it was comparable to the landmark Genentech/Roche registrational ToGA study. This study also examined the effect of Herceptin plus chemotherapy versus SOC chemotherapy alone in advanced HER-2 positive gastric cancer.

    Based on these results, Imugene now plans two further company sponsored Phase 2 studies and one Investigator Sponsored Study with HER-Vaxx in early and late stage gastric cancer. No details have been provided in regard to who is sponsoring one of the studies.

    Imugene’s Managing Director and CEO, Leslie Chong, commented: “We are encouraged by the PFS and anticipated primary OS clinical data to commence three new HER-Vaxx trials, to be called NextHERIZON, NeoHERIZON and NeuHERIZON, in early and late stage gastric cancer including combination with PD-1 and PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors. These studies will be conducted in the US, Australia and South Korea.”

    Why are its shares trading lower?

    The weakness in the Imugene share price today could be due to its higher hazard ratio or concerns over the costs the company will incur undertaking these new trials.

    Though, it is worth noting that the Imugene share price is still up almost 300% in 2021.

    The post Why the Imugene (ASX:IMU) share price is tumbling 7% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you consider Imugene, 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 Imugene 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.

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  • Here’s why the Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) share price is sinking today

    shadow of a man looking out a window with arrows signifying falling share price

    The Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) share price is falling on Wednesday.

    In morning trade, the conglomerate’s shares are down 3% to $58.16.

    Why is the Wesfarmers share price sinking?

    The good news is that the weakness in the Wesfarmers share price today has nothing to do with its operational performance or a broker note.

    Instead, the company’s shares are falling after trading ex-dividend this morning for its final dividend of FY 2021.

    What dividend is Wesfarmers paying?

    Last month Wesfarmers released its full year results and revealed a 10% increase in revenue to $33,941 million and a 16.2% lift in net profit after tax to $2,421 million.

    This allowed the Wesfarmers Board to declare a fully franked final dividend of 90 cents per share, which took its full year dividend to 178 cents per share.

    This morning Wesfarmers’ shares are trading ex-dividend for this final dividend. This means that new buyers of the company’s shares will not be entitled to the dividend when it is paid on 7 October. As a result, the Wesfarmers share price has dropped to reflect this.

    What else?

    Earlier this year Wesfarmers completed the demerger of the Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV) business. This saw Wesfarmers shareholders receive shares in the drinks business.

    This morning the Endeavour share price is trading lower after it went ex-dividend as well. It is paying an inaugural final dividend of 7 cents per share to shareholders.

    This means that investors that held onto their Endeavour shares following the demerger can look forward to receiving both dividends in the coming weeks. The Endeavour dividend is being paid a little earlier than the Wesfarmers dividend on 22 September.

    But wait there’s more

    Investors that hold onto their Wesfarmers shares can also look forward to a potential return of capital of 200 cents per share.

    The Board-recommended distribution remains subject to shareholder approval at the 2021 Annual General Meeting on 21 October 2021. However, the market is expecting the vote to be a mere formality.

    If all goes to plan, Wesfarmers intends to pay this capital return on 2 December.

    The post Here’s why the Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) share price is sinking today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you consider Wesfarmers, 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 Wesfarmers 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 owns shares of and has recommended Wesfarmers 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 Blackmores (ASX:BKL) share price surged 35% in August to a 52-week high. Here’s why.

    Ansarada share price Businessman doing superman and rocketing into the sky

    The Blackmores Limited (ASX: BKL) share price just wrapped up an impressive month of trading. Shares in the Aussie supplements company are up 35.8% in the past month and sitting at a new 52-week high of $99.80 per share.

    The significant gains came late in the month following Blackmore’s results for the year ended 30 June 2021 (FY21).

    Blackmores share price surges 35% in August to 52-week high

    From Monday 2 August to Monday 23 August, shares in the natural health company climbed 4.1% higher. That’s not bad, but the real gains were yet to come.

    Blackmores reported its full-year results on August 26. The update was punctuated by a 51.7% surge in underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) to $25.4 million. That came after Blackmores’ revenue increased by 1.3% on FY20 to $575.9 million despite a 14.0% decline in its Australian segment revenue.

    The Blackmores share price initially edged lower following the result before rocketing through to the end of August. The group also announced a 42 cents per share, fully franked dividend for FY21.

    Blackmores said it remains on track to achieve its strategic and financial objectives by FY24 as planned. The improved earnings profile, including strong China sales at a time of heightened trade tensions, was a particular positive.

    While shares in A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) and Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) have suffered due to Chinese restrictions, Blackmores reported a 17.7% increase in its China segment revenue for the year.

    Positively, Blackmores said the outlook for its international and China segments remain positive with significant momentum in the early part of FY22.

    The Blackmores share price ultimately surged in the days immediately before and after the results’ release. From Monday 23 August through to Tuesday’s close, shares in the supplements group rocketed 30.5% higher.

    That means the group’s shares climbed 35.8% higher in August and are now up 65.4% in the last 12 months.

    The post The Blackmores (ASX:BKL) share price surged 35% in August to a 52-week high. Here’s why. appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you consider Blackmores, 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 Blackmores 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 Ken Hall 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 owns shares of and has recommended Blackmores Limited and Treasury Wine Estates Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended A2 Milk. 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 Brickworks (ASX:BKW) share price is now trading on a forecast 2.5% fully franked dividend yield

    A woman cheers in front of brick wall.

    The Brickworks Limited (ASX: BKW) share price has gained more than 35% since this time last year. This comes as the building products company continues to navigate its way around the COVID-19 pandemic.

    During Tuesday’s market session, Brickworks shares finished 2.12% higher to $24.10.

    Why is the Brickworks share price pushing higher?

    Investors are pushing the Brickworks share price up despite no market-sensitive news coming from the company since August.

    According to its last update, Brickworks noted that operations had been curtailed at a number of its facilities in New South Wales. This is due to the latest outbreak, which has affected brick sales by up to 80% in July.

    The partial recommencement of construction activity in August resulted in some improvement. Brick sales remained at 50% when compared to pre-lockdown levels. The knock-on effect is that its storage yards have reached capacity.

    The business update sent Brickworks shares south from the time of the release and in the following weeks.

    However, with vaccination rates accelerating across Sydney, the state government has signed a partial reopening of businesses. In turn, this would allow Brickworks to resume its operations and service the construction market.

    How much is Brickworks forecast to pay in dividends?

    With the company scheduled to report its full-year results on 23 September, investors may be wondering about the dividend payments.

    Brickworks paid a fully franked dividend of 21 cents per share in April for the first half of FY21. This was slightly above the 20 cents recorded in the prior corresponding period (1H FY20).

    Goldman Sachs is forecasting a total FY21 dividend payment of 61 cents, implying a 40 cents per share final dividend payment. This would give Brickworks a fully franked current dividend yield of 2.53%. Not a bad return when including the strong Brickworks share price rise.

    It’s worth noting that the company has either maintained or increased its dividend payments consistently over the last 45 years.

    Brickworks has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 11.60 and commands a market capitalisation of roughly $3.6 billion.

    The post The Brickworks (ASX:BKW) share price is now trading on a forecast 2.5% fully franked dividend yield appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you consider Brickworks, 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 Brickworks 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 owns shares of and has recommended Brickworks. 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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  • BHP (ASX:BHP) share price history: The major highlights (and low points)

    A man leaps as high as he can over his friends into a pool.

    The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price is an ASX staple.

    To many, it may be the epitome of an Australian share. Focused on iron ore and, until recently, gas and oil production, the blue chip has been a core stock on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) for years.

    BHP’s stock finished yesterday’s session trading at $46.61. But when was the best time to buy into the resource company?

    Let’s take a look at the highs and lows of the BHP share price.

    The BHP share price’s best, and worst, days on the ASX

    Highest highs

    On 4 August 2021, the BHP share price hit its highest closing price ever when the company’s shares finished the day at $54.06.

    That day, the price of iron ore was lifting for the first time after a considerable slide. Additionally, as The Motley Fool reported at the time, some brokers had touted BHP’s interest in offloading its oil and gas assets as a good omen.

    Prior to the last 12 months, the BHP share price’s highest close occurred on 3 July 2019 and it was – you guessed it – spurred by rallying iron ore prices.

    Believe it or not, back then we reported the price of iron ore had hit a multiyear high of US$120 a tonne.

    Since then, demand for the steel-making ingredient has surged and is still trading well above ‘normal’ levels. Right now, a buyer can get their hands on a tonne of iron ore for US$158.58.

    Lowest lows

    The lowest close the BHP share price has experienced in the last 10 years saw it finishing the day at $14.21.

    That was on 20 January 2016, following the release of BHP’s half-year operational report.

    In the report, BHP noted its production of coal, oil, and copper had each dropped. It also downgraded its full-year iron ore production. Not to mention, it had struggled against weak oil prices through the first half of 2016.

    The fateful report saw the BHP share price hit a 10-year low, which has turned out to be its lowest point since.

    BHP’s lowest close in recent times occurred in the midst of the COVID-19-induced recession. On 16 March 2020, the ASX 200 Index crashed 6% on open. As we reported at the time, many blue chip stocks were hit hard, and BHP didn’t escape the carnage.

    The BHP share price finished that day at $25.20.

    The miner’s shares have since made up ground to the current price of $46.61.

    The post BHP (ASX:BHP) share price history: The major highlights (and low points) appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you consider BHP Group, 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 BHP Group 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 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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    from The Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/3kIfnww