Tag: Motley Fool

  • Why has the Betmakers (ASX:BET) share price plunged 24% since Friday?

    A man holds his head and look in horror at a betting slip, indicating share price drop on the ASX market

     

    Shares in Betmakers Technology Group Ltd (ASX: BET) plummeted 24% since the company announced its interest in acquiring the Tabcorp Holdings Limited (ASX: TAH) Wagering and Media business on Friday.

    The Betmakers share price has gained some lost ground this morning, and is now trading at $1.14, up 2.7% today.

    What’s the plan?

    According to Betmakers’ indicative proposal, Tabcorp would receive $1 billion in cash and $3 billion in BetMakers shares. The number of shares on offer has not been determined. Once the initial cash payment is made, the remainder would be determined when the deal was signed and priced at a 15% premium to the traded price. 

    As it now stands, the sudden decrease in the Betmakers share price would mean Betmakers would likely have to issue more shares to fund the deal.

    We take a look at the market reaction.

    ‘Proceed with caution’, commentators say

    Gabriel Radzyminski from investment firm Sandon Capital questioned the value Betmakers would bring to Tabcorp. In an interview on Friday with the Australian Financial Review (AFR), he urged Tabcorp shareholders to consider that the value of the Betmakers share price may not reflect the true value of the company.

    The reality is with a company at the stage of BetMakers’ development, that is a challenging assessment for Tabcorp shareholders to make.

    Matt Williams, portfolio manager at Tabcorp shareholder Airlie Funds Management, also urged shareholders to evaluate the Betmakers share price.

    In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH), Williams asked stakeholders to consider whether they thought BetMakers’ shares were fairly valued.

    A headline in the AFR today described the Betmakers takeover proposal as ‘audacious’. The article referred to the degree of difficulty for a small company with a market capitalisation of $897.54 million to digest the much larger Tabcorp, which has a market cap of $11.35 billion.

    The bull case 

    The architect of the deal is Betmakers CEO Matt Trip. He cites many opportunities for Tabcorp shareholders, one being Betmakers’ growing presence in international markets. Tripp said in Friday’s release:

    Building on BetMakers’ success to date, the combined entity would be a compelling investment proposition as one of the most broadly deployed global racing networks in the market. We are uniquely placed to pursue commercial opportunities globally, and in particular, in the United States.

    According to the proposal, Tripp also promises a technology upgrade that would introduce a second brand to allow punters to bet in sports instead of just horse racing. According to Tripp, this would revive Tabcorp’s wagering arm.

    Tripp has had the runs on the board when it comes to the wagering industry, having helped turn Sportsbet into the country’s second largest bookmaker behind Tabcorp and then partnered with Crown Resorts to set up Bet Easy.

    “I am happy with the bid and where we’ve landed. It’s a real win for shareholders every way I look at it,” he told AFR Weekend.

    Tabcorp has acknowledged the proposal, but has yet to respond.

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  • Here’s why the Ampol (ASX:ALD) share price gained 11.5% last month

    share price up

    May was an exciting time for Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) share price, which gained 11.5% over the course of the month.

    The fuel and convenience brand’s shares were driven by the Federal Government’s announcement of a new Fuel Security Package (FSP) and a decarbonisation strategy.

    Let’s take a look at the month that’s been for the Ampol share price.

    What got the Ampol share price powered up in May?

    Fuel Security Package

    The FSP is being implemented to protect Australia’s two remaining oil refineries, one of which is Ampol’s Lytton refinery.

    Upon receiving the news, Ampol committed to keeping the Lytton refinery open until 2027 – a condition of receiving FSP funding.

    The FSP will see the refineries receiving government support if their margin of profit falls to, or becomes lower than, $10.20 per barrel of oil.

    The Federal Government will also be providing grants of up to $125 million. The grants are designed to help pay for the upgrades needed for Ampol to produce ultra-low sulphur gasoline.

    Additionally, annual variable support payments of up to $108 million are on offer. These are to help Ampol operate the refinery through times of low income.

    On the day the FSP was announced, the Ampol share price closed 6% higher than it had the previous session.

    Decarbonisation strategy

    Ampol also announced a comprehensive decarbonisation strategy in May. The company’s strategy involves multiple partnerships and a goal to source 50% of its energy needs from renewables by 2030.

    As part of the strategy, Ampol will partner with Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) to build Tesla virtual power plants – a network of solar panels and Tesla Powerwall battery systems – at 3 Ampol retail sites.

    The partnership will mean Ampol can generate, store, and use solar power across its sites and potentially integrate fast electric vehicle charging to its service stations nation-wide

    Ampol will also partner with an unnamed Australian company to develop hydrogen energy solutions to compete with diesel generators – giving Ampol’s customers a low carbon diesel option.

    Additionally, the company will be installing a green hydrogen production plant at the Lytton refinery.

    Ampol has also created 3 emissions reduction goals. These will increase over the coming years.

    Initially, the company aims to have 40% of its operations powered by renewable energy by 2025. It also plans to reduce its convenience retail’s emissions by 25% and its fuel and infrastructure’s emissions by 5% by 2025.

    By 2040 Ampol aims to have zero net scope 1 and scope 2 emissions.

    Ampol share price snapshot

    Its good performance through May has put the Ampol share price back into the ASX green.

    Currently, the Ampol share price is 0.74% higher than it was at the beginning of 2021. It’s also gained 3.22% since this time last year.

    The fuel company has a market capitalisation of $6.8 billion, with approximately 238 million shares outstanding.

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  • The ALS (ASX:ALQ) share price gained 17% in May. Here’s why

    people celebrating with arms raised and happy faces

    The ALS Ltd (ASX: ALQ) share price was one of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO)’s best performers of last month. Shares in ALS ended May 17.4% higher than where they started.

    The global testing, inspection and certification company’s shares were driven by a debt refinancing agreement and its full-year results.

    Let’s take a look at the month that was for the ALS share price.

    A productive May for the ALS share price

    Debt refinancing

    Early in May, ALS stated it had agreed to refinance its bank debt with multi-currency, “geographically diverse” revolving facilities.

    The company’s debt is valued at US$350 million.

    The banks involved in the new facilities include ASX-listed Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) and Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX: WBC).

    JP Morgan and the Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) are also involved in the facilities.

    ALS stated the refinancing would provide more liquidity, and better support its growth strategy and funding requirements.

    Full-year results

    On the day ALS released its full-year results, the company’s share price closed 12.8% higher than it did in the previous session.

    ALS’ results included 25% more earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) than the previous year.

    A fall in both revenue and expenses saw ALS bring in $421.1 million over the 12 months ended 31 March 2021.

    ALS said its decreased revenue was mainly caused by the Australian dollar’s gains.

    After expenses, ALS recorded a $174.1 million profit for the period.

    The company will provide its shareholders with a fully franked interim dividend of 8.5 cents per share and a final 70% franked dividend of 14.6 cents.

    The company also announced it has committed to repaying any COVID-19-related subsidies it has been given from various governments.

    ALS share price snapshot

    The ALS share price’s performance over May continues its solid streak across 2021.

    Currently, the ALS share price has gained 26.9% since the start of the year. It’s also 70.6% higher than it was at this time last year.

    The company has a market capitalisation of around $6 billion, with approximately 482 million shares outstanding.

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  • Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

    3 asx shares represented by investor holding up 3 fingers

    Many of Australia’s top brokers have been busy adjusting their financial models again, leading to the release of a large number of broker notes this week.

    Three broker buy ratings that have caught my eye are summarised below. Here’s why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone:

    Altium Limited (ASX: ALU)

    According to a note out of Citi, its analysts have retained their buy rating and $33.50 price target on this electronic design software provider’s shares. The broker notes that Altium has been lifting its prices on perpetual licences but not on its subscriptions. It believes this is a sign that the company is aiming to shift customers to subscriptions, which it feels is a positive move. In the meantime, it also expects the company to benefit from the customers paying more to stick with perpetual licences. The Altium share price is fetching $27.91 today.

    Healius Ltd (ASX: HLS)

    A note out of Credit Suisse reveals that its analysts have retained their outperform rating and lifted their price target on this healthcare company’s shares to $4.45. According to the note, the broker believes Healius is benefiting greatly from strong COVID-19 testing volumes. Particularly given the recent lockdown in Victoria. This has led to the broker upgrading its earnings estimates for FY 2021 and FY 2022. The Healius share price is trading at $4.34 today.

    Sonic Healthcare Limited (ASX: SHL)

    Analysts at Morgan Stanley have retained their overweight rating and $38.60 price target on this healthcare company’s shares. According to the note, industry data is pointing to robust demand for its services in the second half. This is positioning it to deliver a strong full year result in FY 2021. And looking ahead, the broker is expecting the company to grow its earnings by a CAGR of 11% through to FY 2023. In light of this, it feels its valuation is attractive in comparison to other healthcare shares. Especially given its dividend yield and strong balance sheet. The Sonic share price is trading at $34.76 today.

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  • Why the Nearmap (ASX:NEA) share price tanked in May

    Falling ASX share price represented by woman looking shocked at mobile phone

    May was not a pretty month for the Nearmap Ltd (ASX: NEA) share price.

    After surging to $2.38 at the start of May, shares in Nearmap closed the month more than 24% lower. Despite encouraging sector tailwinds, shares in the aerial imaging company were hammered on the back of legal issues in the US.

    Why did the Nearmap share price tumble in May?

    The Nearmap share price burst out of the blocks at the start of May. Investors were jumping to get their hands on Nearmap shares after the company upgraded its guidance for FY21.

    In an update released after market hours, Nearmap revealed that its strong performance in the first half had continued into the second half of FY21. As a result, the company increased its full-year guidance for annual contract value (ACV).

    However, things quickly turned sour for the aerial imaging company. The following day, shares in Nearmap were placed in a trading halt in response to potential legal proceedings.

    In another announcement, Nearmap informed investors that legal proceedings had been filed on behalf of competing aerial imagery firm, Eagle View Technologies.

    According to the complaint, Eagle View and its subsidiary, Pictometry International Corp, allege patent infringements on certain roof estimation technologies.

    Nearmap’s management vigorously defended the complaint and assured investors that the company remained unaffected by the complaint. Despite the assurance, investors were quick to dump shares in Nearmap.

    Outlook

    Nearmap offers subscription-based aerial imaging technologies that capture multiple viewpoints to create 3D representations. The company has demonstrated great growth potential in the US, with ACV surging 41% to $US35.1 million for the first half.

    Nearmap derives about 41% of its US sales from roof reports for the insurance sector. However, the company has noted that its roof estimation software is not a core part of the business. As a result, the legal action invoked by Eagle View does not involve its other technologies.

    Recently, analysts at Morgan Stanley reiterated their bullish outlook on Nearmap. According to a research note from the broker, analysts agreed that patent infringement claims only relate to Nearmap’s roof imaging and not all elements of its product.

    According to analysts at Morgan Stanley, estimates roof imaging accounts for less than a quarter of Nearmap’s US operations. As a result, analysts noted that no material sales impacts had been experienced by the company, reiterating a $3.20 target for the Nearmap share price.

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  • Codan (ASX:CDA) share price edges lower following divestment news

    two miners shaking hands over a business deal.

    Codan Limited (ASX: CDA) shares are inching lower during afternoon trade on Wednesday. At the time of writing, the Codan share price is trading 1.35% lower at $18.27.

    This comes following news the technology company is selling one one of its businesses.

    What did Codan announce?

    Investors are pushing the Codan share price lower after the company updated the ASX with its latest release.

    In its announcement, Codan advised it has entered into an agreement to sell its wholly-owned subsidiary, Minetec, to Caterpillar Holdings Australia.

    Minetec was established in 2000 and “provides unique high-precision tracking, productivity and safety solutions for underground hard-rock mines”. The company uses its patented TRAX technology to allow real-time monitoring and control of mining operations. In essence, this gives miners a snapshot of the whole mine, identifying areas that can be improved in productivity and safety performance.

    The deal will see 100% of Minetec shares transferred to Caterpillar for US$14 million and a volume-based earnout over the next five years. The latter relates to Codan providing manufacturing services to Caterpillar, ensuring a smooth handover.

    The sale is subject to the usual customary conditions and is expected to be completed in July this year.

    Why did Codan sell Minetec?

    In February 2018, Minetec partnered with Caterpillar, signing a master development and marketing agreement. The two parties worked on integrating Minetec’s technology into Caterpillar’s systems and saw a value-added benefit.

    Codan stated that Minetec has not grown to repay back the ongoing investment made on the technology business. As a result, the board undertook a strategic review of the company and decided to offload it to Caterpillar.

    Codan managing director Donald McGurk commented:

    As we evaluated our strategic options, we concluded that the best outcome for Minetec to achieve its potential was to discuss the transfer of the business to Caterpillar, this being seen as a logical progression following the partnership agreement put in place in 2018.

    We believe that Caterpillar is the more appropriate owner, as they continue to be the market leading supplier to the mining industry, with an extensive global dealer network covering 172 dealers across 190 countries.

    Codan will use the funds received from the sale to pay down its existing debt facilities. In addition, the company will focus its efforts on the recently acquired businesses of Domo Tactical Communications, and Zetron.

    About the Codan share price

    It’s been a positive 12 months for Codan investors, with the company’s share price rising more than 150%. Year-to-date performance has also tracked impressively, with the Codan share price up by around 63%.

    Codan shares reached a 52-week high of $19.43 on Monday this week.

    The company has a market capitalisation of roughly $3.3 billion, with approximately 180 million shares outstanding.

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  • This is the hottest sector in the stock market right now

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

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

    The stock market got off to a mixed start to the new month. After the Memorial Day holiday, investors initially seemed ready to continue the bull market, but gains quickly evaporated. By the close of trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI) managed to hold on to a slight advance, but the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) and Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) eased lower.

    Index

    Percentage Change (Decline)

    Point Change

    Dow

    +0.13%

    +46

    S&P 500

    (0.05%)

    (2)

    Nasdaq Composite

    (0.09%)

    (12)

    Data source: Yahoo! Finance.

    Even as much of the stock market struggled for direction, there was one sector of the economy that performed extremely well on Tuesday. Energy stocks moved sharply higher, and it appears that the economic recovery is having the biggest impact on traditional oil and gas companies that are aiming to meet the suddenly voracious demand for energy products.

    Driving the sector

    As often happens, oil stocks took their cue from the commodities markets. Prices of crude oil surged higher by 2.5%, approaching $68 per barrel. That’s the highest level in a couple of years, and natural gas pushed above the $3 level as well, adding to bullishness.

    Refined products saw even stronger performance. Gasoline prices at $2.18 per gallon hit their highest levels in seven years, as people tired of being stuck at home took to the roads for the Memorial Day weekend. Market specialists see heavy demand continuing all summer long, which could prompt even further price gains.

    Pushing energy stocks higher

    It’s therefore not surprising to see stocks throughout the energy arena do well. Exploration and production companies were notably higher, with Contango Oil & Gas, Devon Energy, and Marathon Oil leading the way with gains of 14% to 15%. Drilling companies also saw solid gains, with Nabors Industries jumping 16% and Transocean settling for a 7% rise.

    Oil-field equipment makers also did well. Schlumberger posted a 5% rise, while NOV and Tidewater climbed more than 5% as well. Refinery companies had more-muted gains, but HollyFrontier managed to climb almost 5%, while Valero Energy pushed upward by 2%.

    Can oil keep rising?

    One thing that energy investors are watching closely is the emerging area of shareholder activism. Major oil companies saw historic shareholder votes last week, with ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) losing control of several board seats to an activist energy hedge fund seeking change following massive losses in 2020. Chevron (NYSE: CVX) saw more than 60% of shareholders vote to cut certain emissions.

    Many energy experts believe the result of these moves could be lower production from U.S. companies, giving more power over the oil and gas markets to OPEC nations. OPEC has done a reasonably good job holding the line on production targets in the face of greater supply from the U.S., and continued discipline could support further gains for crude.

    As many trends move toward renewable energy sources worldwide, investors will want to watch how the world handles the inevitable transition period between now and full electrification. If environmental regulation outpaces technological innovation, then commodity shortages could cause dramatic price swings that’ll keep things interesting for energy investors.

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

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  • These ASX 200 shares are surging as the iron ore price booms again

    Rising mining ASX share price represented by man in hard hat making excited fists

    3 ASX 200 iron ore shares are gaining today as the commodity’s price rallies once more, despite China’s attempts to cool it.

    While most of Australia slept last night, the price of iron ore gained 4.9%. This also follows a 4.3% gain seen on Monday.

    The commodity’s price is now back over the US$200 mark, with a tonne of iron ore currently selling for US$208.67.

    Let’s take a look at what’s driving the iron ore price upwards, as well as 3 ASX 200 shares that deal with the commodity.

    China’s attempts to lower the iron ore price

    China is the world’s largest iron ore importer, and its surging construction levels have seen the country solidify its holding on the title in recent years.

    China’s construction boom has increased its appetite for steel – of which iron ore is a key component.

    Despite recent attempts by the People’s Republic to cool iron ore prices, they’ve skyrocketed this week. Earlier this month, China’s cabinet called for the implementation of export tariffs for some iron and steel products and the removal of export tax rebates for certain steel products.

    According to today’s Australian Financial Review, yesterday the China Iron and Steel Association stated the nation plans to cut its steel capacity by 236 million tonnes by 2025.

    China hoped these measures would relax the price of commodities but, so far, this doesn’t seem to have been the case.

    3 ASX 200 iron ore shares on the rise today

    BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) 

    BHP is currently the second-largest company by market capitalisation on the ASX. And, as the ASX’s largest iron ore miner, the BHP share price is often of interest to investors. This is particularly the case during an upswing in the price of iron ore.

    In fact, when the commodity’s price hit US$209 per tonne last month, the BHP share price reached a new all-time high.

    At the time of writing today, the BHP share price is up by 3.09%, with its shares trading at $49.39 each. But it’s not just the price of iron ore putting the focus on the company’s shares today.

    BHP shares are also in the spotlight amid reports economists are about to upgrade their gross domestic product (GDP) forecasts following the surge in the iron ore price.

    Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) 

    The Fortescue share price experienced volatility last month following fluctuations in the price of iron ore and China’s attempts to bring it lower.

    But today, following iron ore’s positive price action overnight, Fortescue shares are having a robust trading session. Currently, they’re swapping hands for $23.34 – 2.28% higher than yesterday’s close.

    Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA)

    Champion Iron is one of the ASX 200’s smaller iron ore shares.

    The company has a market capitalisation of around $3.4 billion. For comparison, BHP’s market capitalisation is approximately $145 billion.

    The Champion Iron share price has had a great year so far, pushing more than 40% higher. And, at the time of writing today, Champion Iron shares are trading 2.62% higher at $6.67 apiece.

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  • Why BHP, Healius, Inghams, & Santos are charging higher

    stock market gaining

    In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record a solid gain. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up 0.9% to 7,209.2 points.

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

    BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

    The BHP share price is up 3% to $49.40. Investors have been buying this mining giant’s shares today following a rise in both iron ore and oil prices. In respect to the former, according to Metal Bulletin, the spot iron ore price has broken through the US$200 level and is up 4.9% to US$208.67 a tonne. Whereas Brent and WTI crude oil prices hit two-year highs following an update out of OPEC.

    Healius Ltd (ASX: HLS)

    The Healius share price is up over 3% to $4.35. This gain appears to have been driven by a broker note out of Credit Suisse this morning. According to the note, the broker has retained its outperform rating and lifted the price target on this healthcare company’s shares to $4.45. It made the move on the belief that the company is continuing to benefit greatly from COVID-19 testing.

    Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING)

    The Inghams share price has climbed 6% to $3.72. This also appears to have been driven by a broker note out of Credit Suisse. This time around the broker has retained its outperform rating on this poultry producer’s shares and lifted its price target to $4.10. Credit Suisse made the move in response to the company’s trading update last week and its undemanding valuation.

    Santos Ltd (ASX: STO

    The Santos share price is up 5.5% to $7.29. The catalyst for this strong gain was oil prices hitting two-year highs overnight. Traders were bidding oil prices higher after OPEC and its allies reconfirmed plans to increase production gradually. The oil cartel also spoke positively about demand and is expecting it to increase.

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  • How did the CSL share price fare in May?

    woman testing substance in laboratory dish, csl share price

    How did the CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) share price fare over the month of May? Good question!

    The CSL share price has certainly had a rocky 12 months or so, despite the fact that it’s trading at almost the same level today as it was exactly a year ago. Over the past 12 months, CSL shares have bounced around the ASX, trading for as high as $320 and as low as $242.

    But what of the month just gone? Well, CSL started May at $271.16 a share and ended the month at $290.47. That puts the company’s May gains at 7.12%. Objectively, not a bad performance for one month. For some perspective, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) managed a gain of 1.9% over the same period.

    May news

    So what happened in May over at CSL? Well, not too much news came out of the healthcare giant last month. Perhaps the most significant item of interest came early on. Back on 6 May, CSL announced that the company is pressing ahead with a commercialisation and license agreement with Uniqure NV (NASDAQ: QURE). Uniqure is a company that is developing a treatment called etranacogene dezaparvovec (or AMT-061) to treat haemophilia B.

    Under the deal, CSL will have the rights to commercialise and sell AMT-061 if all goes to plan. However, investors didn’t seem too chuffed at the idea at the time and sent CSL shares down on the day this was announced. By the end of the month, it didn’t seem like much of a market-mover though.

    A factor that was clearly playing in CSL’s favour though was the attention it received from brokers and fundies over May. The Motley Fool covered several fund managers and brokers who all gave bullish opinions on the CSL share price over the month. These included brokers Citi and Credit Suisse, as well as fundie Michael Wayne of Medallion Financial.

    About the CSL share price

    As we discussed earlier, CSL has had a bumpy year, despite the parity of the current share price to where it was 12 months ago. But before the COVID market crash of last year, CSL was one of the best ASX 200 blue chips to own. It rose almost 200% between June 2016 and February 2020, when it hit its current all-time high of $336 a share. Even on today’s levels, CSL remains around 15% off of that all-time high.

    On current pricing, CSL shares have a market capitalisation of $130 billion, a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 37.78 and a trailing dividend yield of 0.99%.

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