Tag: Motley Fool

  • Why the Pointsbet (ASX: PBH) share price is in focus

    gaming asx share price represented by 2 people excitedly holding smart phones

    The Pointsbet Holdings Ltd (ASX: PBH) share price is on watch after an acquisition update from the betting technology group.

    Why is the PointsBet share price in focus?

    PointsBet provided an update on its US$43 million (~A$56 million) acquisition of Banach Technology. Banach is a business to business (B2B) software company that creates sports betting platforms and algorithms, with a large focus on in-play wagering.

    The Aussie wagering group previously announced the takeover on 16 March 2021 with the PointsBet share price climbing higher on the news. PointsBet acquired Banach by paying 55% cash, issuing 1.75 million shares. In addition, PointsBet paid US$4 million to assist with the integration.

    Pointsbet has now completed the acquisition per today’s release and finalised payment. That represents an important step forward for PointsBet as it continues its growth trajectory in 2021. The company also said the acquisition “will position PointsBet as a leader of in-play sports wagering in the United States”.

    It’s a potentially lucrative market that PointsBet is pushing to be an early market leader in. According to today’s update, in-play wagering is expected to represent ~75% of all USA sports wagering within the next 3 years.

    The PointsBet share price fell 0.9% lower on Tuesday and will be worth watching again today following the update. 

    PointsBet CEO and managing director Sam Swanell said:

    We are delighted to welcome Banach into the PointsBet family and look forward to working together to deliver our full potential for the benefit of PointsBet shareholders, and all our stakeholders.

    PointsBet has today issued 1,752,875 shares to complete the Banach acquisition, making the PointsBet share price one to watch.

    How has PointsBet been performing?

    The PointsBet share price fell 0.9% lower yesterday and closed at $12.96 per share. However, shares in the Aussie wagering group have still rocketed 301.2% higher in the last 12 months.

    PointsBet now has a market capitalisation of nearly $2.4 billion prior to today’s session.

    Where to 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 are the five best ASX stocks for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they are great buys right now.

    *Returns as of February 15th 2021

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

    The post Why the Pointsbet (ASX: PBH) share price is in focus appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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  • Why the Bega Cheese (ASX:BGA) share price is at a 52-week high

    Close-up of a woman taking a big bite out of a block of cheese, indicating a share price rise for ASX cheese companies

    The Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA) share price has been a top performer in 2021. Shares in the Aussie food company have climbed 23.6% higher to $6.44 per share as at Tuesday’s close. That represents an outperformance of 18.6% over the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) so far this year.

    In fact, Bega shares started Tuesday’s session by hitting a new 52-week high of $6.58 per share. So, what’s helping propel this iconic Aussie company higher in 2021?

    Why is the Bega Cheese share price surging higher?

    There haven’t been too many announcements from the Aussie company in 2021. In fact, the major update this year came in late February with Bega’s half-year results.

    Bega reported some seriously strong growth figures for the half-year ended 31 December 2021 (1H 2021). Statutory earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) jumped 68% year-on-year to $65.8 million despite a 5% dip in revenue. On a normalised basis, group EBITDA was up 51% to $73.0 million for the half.

    Those strong earnings figures were also reflected in the company’s bottom line. Bega reported a normalised profit after tax up 98% to $29.7 million with earnings per share up 89% to 13.2 cents.

    That result came despite some challenging market conditions including a strengthening Aussie dollar and lower global commodity prices. The company said it reflected its renewed focus on innovation and strategic priorities as well as a growing market share for its spreads business.

    A strong half-year result helped to propel the Bega Cheese share price higher in February. The Aussie food group’s valuation has also been helped by bullish market sentiment pushing ASX 200 shares higher so far this year.

    Another factor has been Bega’s high profile Lion Dairy and Drinks acquisition in late 2020. Bega completed the $534.1 million acquisition on 25 January 2021 in a big step forward for the Aussie food company.

    The Bega Cheese share price closed at $6.44 per share yesterday after falling from its $6.58 52-week high during the day’s trade. The company now boasts a $1.95 billion market capitalisation at a price to earnings (P/E) ratio of 41.8.

    Where to 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 are the five best ASX stocks for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they are great buys right now.

    *Returns as of February 15th 2021

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    Motley Fool contributor Ken Hall 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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  • Why the Commonwealth Bank (ASX:CBA) share price is flying right now

    Flying ASX share price represented by bunch of yellow balloons flying high

    The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) share price has been on fire in recent months. Shares in Australia’s largest bank are up 4.8% in 2021 and 25.9% in the last 6 months. So, what’s driving the ASX bank share back towards its all-time high?

    Why the CBA share price has climbed

    There have been a couple of big factors at play here. The first is that many ASX bank shares were smashed in the 2020 bear market. That means we saw a share price recovery as Australia responded strongly to the coronavirus pandemic and the economic recovery began in mid to late 2020.

    More economic activity is generally good news for lenders. It means that their key borrowers are likely doing better, whether in retail, healthcare, energy and the like. More money flowing in the economy means more jobs, more cash flow for borrowers and less downside risk for a bank.

    Another big reason for the CBA share price gains could be the Aussie property boom. It’s estimated that the Big 4 banks control something like 80 per cent of all loans in Australia. One of the biggest areas of finance in Australia is for real estate.

    Aussie housing has been going bananas in recent months, particularly on the eastern seaboard. House prices in Sydney and Melbourne have been surging, highlighted by strong CoreLogic data in March.

    A strong housing market is good for lenders. It means that their underlying security on the loan is increasing, and once again, can be a good indicator of overall economic health. That means more jobs and lower chances of defaults across the board.

    Overall, an effective pandemic response has helped kickstart the economy and CBA share price into gear. That means the ASX bank share is not far away from approaching the $90 per share barrier and even its all-time closing high of $95.09 in March 2015.

    Foolish takeaway

    The CBA share price has been on fire in recent months. Shares in Australia’s largest bank are up 49.7% in the last 12 months compared to a 34.4% gain for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

    Where to 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 are the five best ASX stocks for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they are great buys right now.

    *Returns as of February 15th 2021

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Ken Hall 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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  • Got money to invest? Here are 2 ASX shares to buy

    Stopwatch with Time to Buy on the counter

    ASX shares with strong growth potential could really be worth looking into because of the potential for them to generate good shareholder returns.

    Businesses heavily involved in technology could be fruitful areas to think about.

    These two ASX shares may be able to do well:

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

    This is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) offered by the provider VanEck, which is a global provider of exchange-traded products.

    VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF, according to VanEck, gives investors exposure to a diversified portfolio of the largest and most liquid companies involved in video game development, eSports and related hardware and software globally.

    It invests in businesses that are positioned to benefit from the increasing popularity of video games and eSports. The ETF looks to give exposure to companies that make a lot of their earnings from video gaming.

    This investment is an interesting way of getting exposure to a global tech sector that isn’t dominated by Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Alphabet.

    Which shares are in the portfolio? NVIDIA, Tencent, Advanced Micro Devices, Sea, Nintendo, Activision Blizzard, Netease, Take-Two Interactive Software, Nexon and Electronics Arts are the ten biggest holdings.

    The country weightings are quite diversified considering there are only 25 holdings. The US gets 38.5% of the weighting, then Japan with 21.1%, China with 18.4%, Singapore with 6.6% and South Korea with 5.3% being the last holding with an allocation of over 5%.

    It has an annual management fee of 0.55%. The ETF has only been around since September 2020, however the index has been around for longer and done very well – over the last three years it has made an average return of 31% per annum.

    Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

    Temple & Webster has seen its share price climb significantly over the last year, making it one of the best-performing ASX shares.

    It describes itself as Australia’s leading pure play online retailer of furniture and homewares. Temple & Webster’s operating model runs where products are sent directly to customers by suppliers, which helps faster delivery times and reduces the need to hold inventory, which means it can offer a larger product range.

    The retailer also has a private label range, which is sourced directly from overseas suppliers. These products can come with higher profit margins.

    It’s heavily focused on growth. Scale comes with operating leverage and higher levels of profitability. This should be helped by improved supplier terms, more repeat customers which will reduce marketing expenses, a slowing of investment in fixed costs and a higher percentage of private label products with higher gross margins.

    Temple & Webster is going invest heavily to achieve longer-term returns. For example, it’s going to build strong brand awareness to achieve national brand status within three years to drive both first time and repeat customers.

    During this scale up phase, it will be focused on revenue growth and further expanding its market leadership. This will result in a financial profile similar to the pre COVID-19 period. It’s referring to strong double digit revenue growth and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margin levels of around 2% to 4%. It’s committed to remaining profitable during this period.

    In a trading update, the ASX share said it generated 112% revenue growth in the third quarter of FY21 and April revenue growth of more than 20%.

    Where to 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 are the five best ASX stocks for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they are great buys right now.

    *Returns as of February 15th 2021

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    Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Temple & Webster Group Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended 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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  • Why the Mercury (ASX:MCY) share price is on watch

    asx share price on watch represented by ship captain looking through binoculars

    The Mercury NZ Ltd (ASX: MCY) share price is one share worth watching in early trade. It comes as the Kiwi electricity generator and retailer provided its latest quarterly update to the market.

    Why is the Mercury share price on watch?

    Mercury this morning provided its quarterly update for the period ended 31 March 2021 (Q3 2021). The company highlighted persistent dry conditions and price uplifts as key factors in the latest numbers.

    Mercury’s hydro generation increased by 8.5% over Q3 2020 figures to 910 gigawatt hours (GWh) despite Waikato catchment inflows being 168GWh below average. Those higher production numbers came as the company responded to higher spot prices in the market. Notably, Mercury’s hydro generation forecast remains unchanged at 3,800GWh for the full year.

    Below average national hydro storage inflows for the quarter caused total hydro storage to decline. Hydro storage fell 1,818GWh below average by the end of the quarter as a result of the conditions. Combined with thermal fuel constraints at key gas fields, these low inflows helped push spot prices higher.

    The Mercury share price slumped 3.3% lower yesterday to close at $6.18 per share. Shares in the Kiwi ‘gentailer’ will be worth watching again today after the latest update on trading performance and expected conditions.

    Mercury said its sale portfolio further tilted towards commercial and industrial during the quarter. Total sales volumes in this segment increased by 16.1% to 858GWh in Q3 2021. However, Mercury reported a national demand decrease of 1.4% in Q3 2021 compared to the prior corresponding period.

    Reduced demand in the industrial (-0.9%) and irrigation (-0.4%) sectors played a key factor in the quarterly results. Mercury also noted smaller shifts in urban (-0.1%), rural (-0.2%) and dairy (+0.2%) in the latest quarter.

    What about the Tilt Renewables deal?

    The Mercury share price is on watch, particularly given the company’s other activities right now. That includes forming a part of the AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL) led consortium looking to purchase Tilt Renewables Ltd (ASX: TLT).

    On Friday, the big news was that the QIC/AGL/Mercury group had upped their offer for Tilt to $8.10 per share.

    Canadian pension fund CDPQ had made a last-ditch attempt to snatch Tilt for $8 per share before the trans-Tasman group upper their price. Importantly, the revised bid also removed a provision allowing Tilt to assess competing proposals.

    Where to 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 are the five best ASX stocks for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they are great buys right now.

    *Returns as of February 15th 2021

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Ken Hall 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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  • 3 sectors Aussies are splashing cash on right now

    A smiling woman with a handful of $100 notes, inidcating strong share price gains

    Australians are ploughing their cash into travel, entertainment and real estate as the country well and truly moves past the COVID-19 recession.

    That’s the finding from the latest Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) Household Spending Intentions (HSI) survey that analysed spending in March.

    The rebound in consumer activity matches the bank’s economists’ forecast that Australia would return to pre-pandemic growth levels by the first quarter of this year.

    “The stronger Household Spending Intentions report is another signal that Australia’s economic recovery is ongoing,” said CBA chief economist Stephen Halmarick.

    CBA economists expect Australia’s gross domestic product to grow 4.7% this year, while the unemployment rate drops to 5%.

    The HSI each month combines the bank’s customer behaviour analysis with Google Trends data to form a view on where Australians want to spend their money.

    Australians want to travel

    The ban on international transit and localised lockdowns have Australians clamouring to travel again.

    The sector saw the biggest year-on-year jump in spending intentions in the March survey.

    “The travel sector was among the hardest hit by the onset of the COVID pandemic, with border closures and a country-wide lockdown stifling nearly all travel-related activity,” Halmarick said. 

    “This month’s data, while distorted by base-effects, still demonstrates how far the sector has recovered since last year.”

    The 12 months to March saw local facilities like amusement parks, aquariums, hotels, motels, resorts and motor homes attract increased interest. However, the annual pace of spending went backwards for air travel, cruising, timeshare accommodation, travel agents and coach lines.

    Australians want to be entertained

    The entertainment sector also enjoyed a big jump in interest and patronage in the month of March.

    “A year ago, bars, clubs, restaurants and movie theatres wrangled with the swiftly escalating restrictions in the lead-up to a country-wide lockdown,” said Halmarick.

    “This March, the picture for this sector is much improved, as pent-up demand among consumers helped spur both actual and prospective spending on the category.”

    Within the sector, bars, restaurants, fast food outlets, boat rentals, bowling alleys, cable TV, movie theatres, dance halls, studios and schools, digital books, movies and music, and musical theatre venues fared the best.

    Australians want real estate 

    It’s already been well-publicised that the residential real estate market has been soaring the past 6 months.

    The HSI confirms this, with spending intentions for property hitting an all-time high. Home loan applications and Google searches for homes skyrocketed in March. 

    Halmarick said near-zero interest rates were to blame.

    “We continue to see demand for residential property as a key source of support for the Australian economy in 2021.”

    The CBA previously forecast that residential real estate prices would be up 8% nationally this year then another 6% in 2022. House prices alone are expected to end up 9% higher by the end of the year.

    Where to 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 are the five best ASX stocks for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they are great buys right now.

    *Returns as of February 15th 2021

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    Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Tony Yoo owns shares of Alphabet (A shares). The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Alphabet (A shares) and Alphabet (C shares). The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet (A shares) and Alphabet (C shares). 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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  • Broker tips REA Group (ASX:REA) share price to shoot higher from here

    A young man pointing up looking amazed, indicating a surging share price movement for an ASX company

    The REA Group Limited (ASX: REA) share price has been an exceptionally strong performer over the last 12 months.

    Since this time last year, the property listings company’s shares have almost doubled in value.

    While some of this is due to the REA Group share price tumbling lower this time last year at the height of the pandemic, it is worth noting that it is still up 35% from its pre-COVID high.

    Can the REA Group share price still go higher?

    A note out of Goldman Sachs this morning reveals that its analysts believe the company’s shares can still go higher from here.

    According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating and lifted its price target to $179.00.

    Based on the latest REA Group share price, this price target implies potential upside of 13.5% over the next 12 months.

    What did the broker say?

    Goldman Sachs made the move in response to REA Group’s price increase plans that will take effect from July.

    It commented: “Following the deferred 2020 increase, REA is increasing pricing +6-11% in 2021, and capping 2022 increases to +5-6%. Across the states, this comprises +8% increases in Inner Sydney, +7-9% Inner Melbourne and +6-11% in Tasmania. REA is also introducing ‘Premiere Max’ with pricing increasing +20%/+5% in year 1/2. All contracts include: (1) Length extended to 120 days (from 60); (2) Flex, which allows 20% of listings to pay marketing costs on sale (at a +20% premium), while Premiere Max has discounted access to Audience Maximiser (FB/website marketing) on all listings.”

    “These underlying price increases are broadly consistent with our prior estimate (GSe prior +11% yield growth in FY22, with +8% price), but with some potential upside risk if Premiere Max has a high level of take-up. We are also encouraged by the relative outperformance of REA, reinforcing our positive view,” it added.

    And while rival Domain Holdings Australia Ltd (ASX: DHG) is also making out of cycle price increases in July, it isn’t enough for the broker to recommend it as a buy. Goldman has held firm with its neutral rating and lifted its price target to $5.05.

    All in all, although the REA Group share price has been on fire over the last 12 months, it could still have further to run according to this leading broker.

    Where to 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 are the five best ASX stocks for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they are great buys right now.

    *Returns as of February 15th 2021

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended REA 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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  • 2 compelling ASX 200 shares that should be in your portfolio

    small red wooden peg doll standing ahead of group of neutral coloured peg dolls

    There are a few really compelling shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). They might be worth a spot in your portfolio.

    Shares in the ASX 200 might be large enough that they can get through rocky times, whilst also having good growth potential.

    These two could well be worth thinking about:

    Bapcor Ltd (ASX: BAP)

    Bapcor describes itself as the leading auto parts business in Australasia. It has over 1,000 locations across Australia, New Zealand and Thailand.

    The driving force of profit for the company is its Bapcor Trade business, which is predominately Burson. That’s the business that provides high quality service for mechanics. It has been generating pleasing same store sales growth for years. The earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margin was 14.9% two years ago, it was up to 18.3% in the FY21 half-year result.

    Bapcor also has a large retail business called Autobarn. This is seeing strong growth during these unprecedented COVID-19 times.

    It also has a specialist wholesale division with multiple businesses, with some being industry leaders in their categories.

    There are a number of growth areas for the business. It’s growing its existing network footprint. The ASX 200 share is optimising its supply chain. Bapcor is investing in new and upgraded technology. A key part of future growth is that it’s expanding into Asia.

    One way it’s getting more exposure to Asia is an investment in Tye Soon. Bapcor now owns 25% of the Singapore-listed business. It’s the most prominent auto parts distributor in South East Asia and North East Asia. It operates 60 locations which, in FY19, generated SG$222 million of revenue.

    In a FY21 trading update for March 2021, the ASX 200 share said that business performance has continued at similar levels to the first six months. Trade same store sales went up 13%, Autobarn same store sales were up 35% and specialist revenue excluding acquisitions was up 17%.

    The fundamentals of the vehicle aftermarket remain strong, with an increase in second hand car sales, continued preference for cars over public transport and more domestic holidays where people use their cars.  

    EML Payments Ltd (ASX: EML)

    EML has a payment solutions platform that provides the technology to power the payment process so money can be moved quickly and securely. It connects its customers to their customers.

    It offers various products like virtual account numbers, gift cards, salary packaging, gaming payouts and so much more.

    One of the main segments of EML’s business is its general purpose reloadable (GPR). In FY21, it has become the largest and fastest growing segment. In the first half of FY21, more than 70% of deals won were in the GPR segment.

    The ASX 200 share recently entered the opening banking sector (through an acquisition) which enables consumers and businesses to share banking data and initiative real time payments securely between two accounts.

    The primary objective of open banking, according to EML, is to enable faster competition and innovation in banking and payments, improving the user experience for consumers and merchants.

    EML says that combining its account to account services and opening banking with existing prepaid and banking as a service capabilities expands the addressable market and deepens existing relationships.

    In FY21, EML is expecting revenue to grow by 45% to 56%, EBITDA to be up between 54% to 66% and underlying net profit to be up between 25% to 40% to a range of $30 million to $33.5 million.

    Where to 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 are the five best ASX stocks for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they are great buys right now.

    *Returns as of February 15th 2021

    More reading

    Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends EML Payments. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Bapcor. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended EML Payments. 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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  • LIVE COVERAGE: ASX to drop; iron ore pushes to 10-year high

    Where to 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 are the five best ASX stocks for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they are great buys right now.

    *Returns as of February 15th 2021

    More reading

    Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Kate O’Brien owns shares of Apple and Rio Tinto Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), and Apple. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), and Apple. 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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  • Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) share price on watch after Kmart update

    asx share price on watch represented by investor peering over top of bench

    The Wesfarmers Limited (ASX: WES) share price is one to watch this morning after an after-market update from the Aussie conglomerate.

    Why is the Wesfarmers share price on watch?

    Wesfarmers last night provided an update on its Kmart Group plans. Kmart is one of the three key retail brands under the Wesfarmers banner, alongside Target and Catch.com.au.

    The Aussie conglomerate is pushing to make Kmart a focal point of its brands. Key highlights cited by Wesfarmers include a large and growing addressable market, competitive advantages driven by scale and technology-enabled growth.

    The Wesfarmers share price will be one to watch this morning as investors take in the latest update and vision for the group’s retail arm.

    Kmart recorded $6.1 billion in annual sales through to 30 June 2020. That came from nearly 1 billion units sold in ~190 million transactions. The group’s online retail recorded more than 250 million website sessions during the year.

    The Wesfarmers share price has been performing strongly to start the year. That includes a 7.8% gain in 2021 compared to a 5.0% gain for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

    Kmart is focused on a few things to drive lower costs and higher margins. Those include lower production costs, lower price, higher volume and stronger sourcing and product development.

    The group is also expecting strong brand recognition and engagement to help drive sales. 10 years ago, the Kmart network had 187 stores across Australia and New Zealand. Now,  the company is hoping to have 271 Kmart stores with 57 “K Hubs” by December 2021.

    Wesfarmers is hoping the restructure of its retail arm can kickstart a new phase of growth. That makes the Wesfarmers share price worth watching in today’s trade.

    Foolish takeaway

    The Wesfarmers share price is on watch after the latest update on the Kmart transformation. Shares in the Aussie conglomerate are up 10 per cent in the last month in a positive start to the quarter.

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    Motley Fool contributor Ken Hall has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of Wesfarmers Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

    The post Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) share price on watch after Kmart update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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