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The AVZ Minerals Ltd (ASX: AVZ) share price is underperforming on Monday despite the release of a positive announcement.

At the time of writing, the lithium-focused mineral exploration company’s shares are down 2.5% to 18.5 cents.

What did AVZ announce?

Investors have been selling AVZ Minerals’ shares this morning despite the release of an update on drilling activities at the Manono Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to the release, the company has received further strong results from its Mineral Resource drilling at the project.

The latest assay results come from the last three of the nine planned diamond drill holes at Roche Dure in previously undrilled areas beneath the historical pit. These were previously inaccessible and under water during the earlier resource drilling programs.

AVZ’s Managing Director, Mr Nigel Ferguson, said: “The final assay results from these last three of the nine planned drillholes on the Roche Dure pit floor again show strong lithium mineralisation from the pit floor surface.”

Mr Ferguson also revealed that the drilling results could lead to a higher-grade core being discovered.

He explained: “Additionally, drilling also reported higher grade portions developing within the northern portions of the orebody, and that these may even coalesce both up dip and along strike.”

“This may present as the start of a much higher-grade core which will need further investigation to determine the possibility of finding more significant tonnages of high-grade feedstock, apart from those at Carriere de L’Este, that could feed the plant in its early years of operation to shorten the pay-back period,” Ferguson added.

What now?

The company will now take these drilling results and rerun its geological resource model and revisit its definitive feasibility study.

“Now these assays have been reported they will be merged with our current database and we will rerun the geological resource model to reclassify that portion of the pit floor which was previously modelled as waste due to the lack of drilling information.”

“Following on from the geology remodelling and coupled with the improvements to the plant design parameters, we will then check the previous mine design against the updated model to optimise the mine design, generate new ore reserves and revisit the DFS results,” he concluded.

More reading

• Here’s why the AVZ Minerals (ASX: AVZ) share price is jumping 5% today
• Why AVZ, Betmakers, Santos, & South32 shares are storming higher
• Here’s why the AVZ Minerals (ASX:AVZ) share price is charging 7% higher
• The AVZ Minerals (ASX:AVZ) share price jumped 18% to a 52-week high today

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

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The Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL) share price will be one to watch when trading opens this morning. The company announced its German pilot plant for lithium extraction is now operational.

Shares in the zero-carbon lithium producer ended Friday’s trading session at $6.36 – up 1.76%. By comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) ended 0.051% lower on Friday.

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

How will the Vulcan share price respond to today’s news?

In a statement to the ASX, Vulcan Energy says its direct lithium extraction (DLE) pilot plant in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley is now fully operational. The plant’s purpose is to prove the feasibility of extracting lithium from geothermal brine.

Data from the pilot plant will be used to ultimately decided whether a larger-scale DLE plant can be made operational.

Today’s news comes after the company came to an agreement with DuPont de Nemours Inc (NYSE: DD) to “advance” DLE. In other recent news that sent the Vulcan share price soaring, last month the company announced the appointment of a CO₂ expert to its board. As well, Vulcan announced in late March it would trace its carbon footprint across its supply chain. A first for the lithium industry.

Management commentary

Vulcan managing director Dr Francis Wedin spoke on today’s announcement, saying:

Getting our Pilot Plant up and running on live geothermal brine is a significant milestone for Vulcan. This has already started producing crucial data needed for de-risking the lithium extraction process.

This is a critical step towards our strategy of producing lithium hydroxide, using our unique Zero Carbon Lithium™ process, for the European battery electric vehicle market, and building a combined renewable energy and chemicals business. We look forward to keeping our shareholders informed as we progress our efforts.

Vulcan share price snapshot

The Vulcan share price has increased an amazing 2665.22% over the last 12 months. It, along with other ASX companies, has been a beneficiary of huge growth in lithium demand. Lithium is currently trading for US $90,000 per tonne on the commodities market – a 52-week record.

Demand for lithium is increasing as demand for electric vehicles surges.

Vulcan Energy has a market capitalisation of $683.5 million.

More reading

• These 3 ASX companies are leading the way to net zero emissions
• Why Kathmandu, Pushpay, Sigma, & Vulcan shares are storming higher
• Why the Vulcan Energy (ASX:VUL) share price is charging 9% higher
• Why Corporate Travel Management, Silver Lake, Volpara, & Vulcan are pushing higher
• Why the Vulcan Energy (ASX:VUL) share price is charging higher today

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

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The Harmoney Corp Ltd (ASX: HMY) share price is on watch after the company released its FY21 third-quarter results.

The Harmoney share price closed at $1.95 on Friday.

Harmoney operates in the consumer credit industry, providing online direct personal lending services in Australia and New Zealand. It offers personal loans, car loans, wedding loans, holiday loans, education loans, business loans, and home improvement loans.

Harmoney’s strong third-quarter results

Harmoney increased loans to new customers by 60% to NZ$44.1 million in the third quarter of FY21, up from NZ$27.5 million in the second quarter. Its new customer acquisition in Australia was the main growth driver, with record new loan originations of $9.4 million delivered in the month of March 2021.

This saw Harmoney achieve an increase of 148% on January 20211 and 38% growth on March 2020.

Harmoney released its new generation, behavioural credit decisioning and pricing engine called Libra on 17 February, which continues to have a “material impact” on Harmoney’s ability to originate loans in Australia.

It is the first technology release from the company that incorporates improvements specifically focused on the Australian consumer. Harmoney’s credit risk appetite and profile remains unchanged pre and post-implementation of the new platform.

Harmoney’s New Zealand operation also delivered significant growth in new loan originations during the last quarter of NZ$22.7 million. This compares to $17.1 million in the second quarter of FY21 and NZ$8.8 million in the first quarter of FY21.

What did Harmoney management say?

Harmoney CEO David Stevens welcomed the results:

Australia is our biggest opportunity for growth and our recent performance in the region underscores how quickly our platform business can scale. New loan origination in Australia has doubled since updating the technology behind our new lending scorecard, making the credit underwriting process significantly more efficient at attracting and then converting customer enquiries into settled loans.

Importantly, it does not change Harmoney’s risk appetite for high-quality, prime customers. It actually illuminates the pathway we are on to achieving our business objective of $1 billion in lending volumes each year – just in Australia. We are very confident in our ability to replicate our New Zealand success in this market.

Harmoney share price snapshot

Harmoney has a market capitalisation of $196 million and its share price has fallen more than $1 since December 2020. It’s down 35% in 2021 so far, and 87% against the financial services sector.

More reading

• Is Wesfarmers (ASX:WBC) a great blue chip share buy?
• SelfWealth (ASX:SWF) share price on watch following trading update
• Plenti (ASX:PLT) share price on watch after ‘exceptional growth’, BNPL launch
• The Galaxy Resources (ASX:GXY) share price is on watch. Here’s why
• Why the Summerset (ASX:SNZ) share price is in focus

Motley Fool contributor Lucas Radbourne-Pugh 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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Could Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX:WES) be a quality ASX blue chip share to own with its strong operating businesses?

Why is Wesfarmers so good?

One of the things you want to see from a blue chip is that it can survive and thrive through various local and global problems.

Wesfarmers has origins going back to 1914, which shows that it has been able to keep going through many recessions, wars, COVID-19 and so on.

It has arguably some of the best retail businesses in their respective categories.

Bunnings is the biggest and leading home hardware retailer. Officeworks is the leading office supplies retailer. Kmart is the leading discount retailer. Catch is rapidly expanding as an online retailer.

Wesfarmers also has a number of industrial businesses relating to chemicals, energy, fertilisers and safety.

Unlike many other ASX shares that are stuck being a telco, bank or supermarket, Wesfarmers has the ability to invest in other businesses that are in different sectors.

For example, the ASX blue chip share invested in a lithium mining project which will diversify earnings as it comes online.

Strong performance

Speaking of online, Wesfarmers is one of the ASX retail shares that is seeing high levels of e-commerce sales growth right now.

In the first six months of FY21, total online sales across the group more than doubled, excluding Catch. Including the Catch marketplace, online sales of $2 billion were recorded for the half.

Kmart growth is accelerating again and the Target underperformance is being addressed. On a combined basis, Kmart and Target delivered a record earnings result for the period. Target’s profitability has improved significantly, supported by strong demand and the ongoing ‘simplification’ of the businesses.

The ASX blue chip share’s management are pleased with the decision to convert some Target stores in Kmart ones. There has been sales and transaction volume uplifts from those stores already converted.

Sometimes it can take a brave short-term decision to help long-term performance be stronger long-term.

The overall business continues to generate high levels of profit and cashflow. This can fund healthy dividends and even more acquisitions over time.

Half-year continuing operations net profit after tax (NPAT) and earnings per share (EPS) were both up 25.5%, to $1.4 billion and $1.25 per share respectively. The operating cashflow went up 4% to $2.2 billion.

Wesfarmers paid an interim dividend of $0.88 per share, representing a healthy dividend payout ratio of 70.4%.

The start of the COVID-19 pandemic saw high levels of demand for Bunnings and Officeworks products so that people could work, learn and do DIY projects at home. Bunnings continues to generate impressive growth with underlying earnings growth of 39% in the first six months of FY21.

What about the rest of FY21?

Wesfarmers said the outlook is more positive for Australia, and management believe that its businesses remain well placed to deliver satisfactory shareholder returns over the long-term.

Sales have continued to remain “strong” through January and February. However, growth is expected to show a slowing effect from March as businesses cycle against strong sale months in 2020.

Wesfarmers says that it will maintain an appropriately strong balance sheet to preserve flexibility to invest in long-term growth initiatives across the group and manage the ongoing uncertainty of COVID-19.

According to Commsec, the Wesfarmers share price is valued at 26x FY21’s estimated earnings with a forecast grossed-up dividend yield of 4.6%.

More reading

• ASX 200 Weekly Wrap: ASX sees 7,000 points once more
• 2 blue chip ASX dividend shares to buy
• 2 ASX dividend shares with generous yields to buy now
• How are these ASX 200 retail shares tracking after JobKeeper’s end?
• 2 great ASX 200 blue chip shares for dividends

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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.

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SelfWealth Ltd (ASX: SWF) shares will be on watch this morning after the company released its quarterly cash flow and activities report. At Friday’s close, the SelfWealth share price was trading at 58 cents. 

Let’s take a look at what the emerging Australian share trading platform reported.

Why is the SelfWealth share price in focus? 

The SelfWealth share price will be on the radar today after the company advised it has continued to gain traction in the third quarter. In its update, SelfWealth highlighted significant growth across key reporting metrics. These included a 178% year-on-year increase in quarterly operating revenue to $5.78 million, a 166% increase in active traders to 85,994 and positive quarterly cash flow from operating activities of $558,000. 

The March quarter saw a significant increase in the number of trades executed, to a total of 514,246 trades. This represents a 36% increase on the prior quarter and 220% year on year. In further news that could impact the SelfWealth share price today, the company advised it is seeing US trading make its maiden contribution to revenue and trading volume, accounting for 36,266 trades or 7% of total trades for the quarter. 

SelfWealth continues to push into positive cash flow territory with a $558,000 positive operating cash flow for the March quarter and a net cash position of $7.41 million with no outstanding debt.

Key costs for the quarter included an increase in marketing to promote the company’s new retail trading functionality in US trading and further take advantage of increased trading interest. The update noted that its customer acquisition costs remain at historically low levels, providing a significant return on investment on marketing spend. 

Management commentary 

SelfWealth Managing Director Rob Edgley commented on the tailwinds that continue to drive the business and its goals moving forward. He said:

SelfWealth continues to benefit from the key structural changes in investment markets, driven by ultra-low interest rates globally and the digitalisation of investment markets, which were accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We remain focused on the opportunities for market share expansion in this growing market and we are committed to ongoing product innovation to lead disruption in the industry.

US trading drives growth 

It will be interesting to see how the SelfWealth share price performs this morning as investors digest the company’s latest update.

The record quarter of growth in client acquisition and operating revenue was primarily driven by the company’s introduction of US trading. This was launched on 14 December 2020 and allowed users to submit a request to have the US trading feature added to their approved Australian equity portfolios.

US trading features include a USD cash trading account, competitive foreign exchange rates, a flat-fee brokerage of US$9.50 per trade and a choice of over 7,500 US securities across all major US exchanges. 

SelfWealth was pleased with the performance of its new US trading product throughout the GameStop Corp trading frenzy. Its platform was reliable amidst platform issues and trading restrictions at competing providers. The company believes this led to record client acquisition, together with a much larger than expected take up of US trading functionality from existing customers. 

More reading

• SelfWealth (ASX:SWF) share price flat despite new CEO

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

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The Plenti Group Ltd (ASX: PLT) share price is on watch today after the company released its trading update for the fourth-quarter of FY21.

The Plenti share price is $1 per share at the time of writing.

Plenti is a technology-led consumer lending and investment company that focuses on specific industries. The company offers loan products under three verticals, or revenue streams.

First it provides automotive lending for the hire or purchase of new vehicles. Second, it provides renewable energy lending for the purchase and installation of renewable energy products such as solar panels and batteries.

Finally, it also focuses on personal lending, providing fixed-term, unsecured, interest-bearing loans used for a wide variety of purposes.

Plenti’s strong fourth-quarter results

Plenti posted record quarterly loan originations of $172.4 million, 120% above prior corresponding period and 32% above its results from the prior quarter. 

It posted record quarterly loan originations in each lending vertical, across automotive, renewable energy and personal loans. Its total loan portfolio increased to $615 million, 61% above the prior corresponding period.

Funding increased through upsizing of Plenti’s automotive loan warehouse facility to $350 million. In interesting news for buy now, pay later (BNPL) investors, it also successfully launched BNPL finance for renewable energy customers.

This was one of what the company calls a series of “significant product and technology advancements”, including progress on the company’s next generation credit decisioning and pricing models.

Its prime loan portfolio also continues to demonstrate strong credit performance, with low levels of losses and 90-plus day arrears declining to 0.31%.

What Plenti management said

Commenting on the trading update, Daniel Foggo, Plenti’s CEO, said:

Plenti’s exceptional growth during the quarter was underpinned by our relentless focus on delivering faster, fairer loans, with originations for the quarter up more than 100% on the same quarter last year. Our ambition is to be Australia’s best lender. This quarter validated our ongoing investment in technology while continuing to deliver exceptional customer experiences uncompromised by our rapid growth.

With strong momentum across each part of our business, we are powering towards our one billion dollar loan book milestone.

Plenti share price snapshot

The Plenti share price has lost 17% in 2021 so far and 23% over the past 12 months. It’s down 67% against the financial services sector and 52% against the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

More reading

• Airtasker (ASX:ART) share price cools after explosive IPO

Motley Fool contributor Lucas Radbourne-Pugh has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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The Galaxy Resources Limited (ASX: GXY) share price is one to watch this morning after a quarterly update from the Aussie lithium miner.

Why is the Galaxy Resources share price on watch?

Galaxy this morning provided a quarterly results update for the quarter ended 31 March 2021 (Q1 2021). Shares in the lithium miner could be on the move following the brief update, ahead of its March 2021 quarterly activities report release on 21 April.

Galaxy’s Mt Cattlin site has successfully ramped back up to nameplate capacity during Q1 2021. Mt Cattlin achieved quarterly production of 46,588 dry metric tonnes of lithium concentrate during the period. That represents a 39.7% increase on Q4 2020 at an improved recovery of 60%.

The Galaxy Resources share price is one to watch as investors digest the latest numbers. Galaxy reported product quality of 5.8% lithium oxide in line with customer requirements.

The Aussie mining group shipped 29,917 dry metric tonnes of lithium concentrate during Q1 2021. Galaxy delayed a second shipment of 15,000 dry metric tonnes until early April due to the late arrival of a vessel.

Galaxy reported its contracting arrangements for this quarter are progressing well with pricing “well in excess” of US$600 per dry metric tonne.

It will be interesting to see how the Galaxy Resources share price performs in early trade following the update. Further information is likely to follow in the quarterly activities report on 21 April and the investor conference call at 10 am AEST on the same day.

What are the latest performance numbers for Galaxy?

Shares in the Aussie lithium producer jumped 2.8% on Friday to close at $2.98 per share. That means the Galaxy Resources share price is now up 263.4% in the last 12 months. Fellow lithium miners Orocobre Limited (ASX: ORE) and Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) have also seen strong gains as lithium prices have soared.

Galaxy currently boasts a market capitalisation of $1.5 billion prior to Monday’s open when the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) is tipped to edge higher.

More reading

• ASX lithium shares are surging across the board. Here’s why
• The new race between US and China is good news for these ASX shares
• Why ASX lithium shares are shooting higher in April
• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now
• Why the Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) share price is up today

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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The Summerset Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: SNZ) share price is on watch this morning after a quarterly trading update from the Kiwi retirement village operator.

Why is the Summerset share price on watch?

Summerset this morning provided a sales update for the quarter ended 31 March 2021 (Q1 2021). The company reported 275 sales for the quarter including 148 new sales and 127 resales.

Summerset’s business model relies on selling occupation rights for its retirement and care villages. These rights are sold to temporary residents, with either new village sales or the resale to a new tenant.

The Summerset share price is on watch after CEO Scott Scoullar said the waitlist is up 24% from one year ago. That figure is also up 8% on the previous quarter as demand continues to grow despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Scoullar also said there is a good pipeline of new builds to come. This includes a $170 million village in Prebbleton, New Zealand, which was granted resource consent in March. The new facility would comprise more than 290 independent homes and include a state-of-the-art memory care centre for residents with dementia.

The leading retirement village operator and developer has 33 villages completed or in development across New Zealand. Summerset also has three properties in Victoria, Australia among others that brings its total sites to 43.

Foolish takeaway

The Summerset share price is on watch today following the company’s latest update. Shares in the retirement village operator managed to soar in 2021 as New Zealand effectively contained COVID-19. 

In fact, the Summerset share price has rocketed 85.6% higher in the last twelve months after plummeting to a 52-week low of $5.33 in the March 2020 bear market. Summerset currently boasts a market capitalisation of $2.5 billion on the ASX.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is tipped to rise this morning with the latest SPI futures pointing to a 0.1% gain at the open

More reading

• ASX 200 Weekly Wrap: ASX sees 7,000 points once more
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• 2 quality small cap ASX shares rated as buys
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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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The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has continued its form over April so far. Last week the index crossed its highest threshold since the start of the coronavirus pandemic more than a year ago after rising 2.4% from Tuesday to Friday. Not a bad return considering most of us (including the ASX) had Monday off.

On Thursday morning, the ASX 200 crossed 7,000 points for the first time since January 2020 and climbed as high as 7,012 points during intra-day trading. Whilst that milestone is completely rudimentary, it still represents a significant psychological milestone. It also means the ASX 200 is getting closer to its pre-COVID high of 7,162 points that we saw back on 20 February 2020.

Even though the week saw the ASX 200 ended back below 7,000 points, it was only just, given the index finished up at 6,995 on Friday afternoon.

ASX tech hits gold

In a departure from recent norms, it was the ASX tech sector that shone last week, helped along by gold miners. ASX tech shares spent last week bouncing back from the bond-driven sell-off we saw over February and March. Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) was a strong performer, gaining close to 15% over the week. As was Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P) and Xero Limited (ASX: XRO)  with gains of 7.5% and 5.9% respectively.

This was assisted by a cracker of a week over on the US markets. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQ: .IXIC) rose more than 3% last week, whilst the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) continued to push into new all-time high territory.

As mentioned above, ASX gold miners also had a stellar week. The ASX’s largest gold miner Newcrest Mining Ltd (ASX: NCM) was up 6.54% last week, whilst Silver Lake Resources Limited (ASX: SLR) was the ASX 200’s best performer with a gain of 18.2% (more on that later). We can probably put this strength down to a rising gold price, falling bond yields and a slight recovery in the Australian dollar.

How did the markets end the week?

The ASX 200 managed three out of four days in the green last week. Tuesday kicked things off with a 1% rise, which was backed up on Wednesday and Thursday with gains of 0.3% and 1.1% respectively. Friday saw the week’s only loss, but only just, with the ASX sliding a paltry 0.05%. The complications surrounding the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine which the government responded to on Friday certainly put a dampener on the mood at the week’s end.

Meanwhile, the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) also had a strong week, rising from 7,061.8 points at Tuesday’s open to 7,252.3 pints on Friday afternoon, a hefty gain of 2.7%.

Which ASX 200 shares were the biggest winners and losers?

Time now for our winners and losers segment where we put the S in salacious by looking at the week’s best and worst ASX 200 shares. So put the kettle on as we start with the losers:

Worst ASX 200 losers	% loss for the week
Chorus Ltd (ASX: CNU)	(6.4%)
AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP)	(4.9%)
Incitec Pivot Ltd (ASX: IPL)	(3.8%)
Corporate Travel Management Ltd (ASX: CTD)	(3.7%)

New Zealand telco Chorus was the ASX 200 wooden spooner last week with a 6.4% slide. This appears to be a response to Chorus’s announcement last Tuesday, in which the company advised it’s expecting its maximum allowable revenue range to be lower than previously indicated at $680 to $710 million (down from the previous $715 to $755 million).

Poor old AMP was also a loser last week. This embattled wealth manager was once again being sold off in the wake of CEO Francesco de Ferrari’s resignation announced last month.

Fertiliser and chemical manufacturer Incitec Pivot was in the firing line after an update on one of its factories. The company announced on Tuesday that its Waggaman ammonia operation won’t be coming back online until mid-April. It was previously expected to be back by mid-March following some earlier mechanical failures.

Finally, travel company Corporate Travel Management was also on investors’ hit list last week. Most of the week’s 3.7% loss came on Friday following the government’s response to the AstraZeneca vaccine concerns. Any delay in ‘returning to normal’ is obviously bad news for a travel company.

Now with the losers done and dusted, let’s have a look at last week’s winners:

Best ASX 200 gainers	% gain for the week
Silver Lake Resources Limited (ASX: SLR)	18.2%
EML Payments Ltd (ASX: EML)	17.1%
Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT)	15.1%
Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS)	13.3%

As you can see, we had two ASX gold miners and two ASX tech shares making up the ASX 200’s best performers last week.

EML had some more good news up its sleeve though. On Wednesday, the payments company announced the acquisition of Sentinel Limited, a European banking and payments company, for 110 million euros. Investors clearly approved.

Some stellar numbers from Afterpay’s ‘Afterpay Day’ sales over in the US also gave investors another reason to chase this buy now, pay later (BNPL) company up the wall.

There was no major news out of Silver Lake, the ASX 200’s best performer. However, fellow gold miner Ramelius Resources Limited (ASX: RMS) gave the markets a quarterly update which may have helped its case.

A wrap of the ASX 200 blue-chip shares

Before we go, here is a look at the major ASX 200 blue-chip shares as we start on our first five-day week for a while (sigh):

ASX 200 company	Trailing P/E ratio	Last share price	52-week high	52-week low
CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)	34.37	$263.40	$332.68	$242
Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)	19.38	$87.13	$89.20	$57
Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)	39.57	$25.21	$25.30	$14.53
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX: ANZ)	23.74	$28.74	$29.55	$15.07
National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)	24.62	$26.72	$27.10	$15
Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG)	7.72	$20.89	$26.40	$10.61
Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)	36.8	$41.23	$42.05	$33.82
Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)	32.67	$54.17	$56.40	$35.58
BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)	26.03	$46.67	$50.93	$28.76
Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO)	14.66	$115.50	$130.30	$80.10
Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)	20.16	$15.85	$19.26	$14.95
Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)	23.02	$3.43	$3.54	$2.66
Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)	–	$13.67	$15.64	$10.73
Sydney Airport Holdings Pty Ltd (ASX: SYD)	–	$6.10	$7.49	$4.92
Newcrest Mining Ltd (ASX: NCM)	17.07	$26.70	$38.15	$23.08
Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL)	–	$24.32	$27.60	$16.80
Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)	23.38	$154.80	$155.94	$88.13
Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT)	–	$121.47	$160.05	$19.67

And finally, here is the lay of the land for some leading market indicators:

• S&P/ASX 200 Index (XJO) at 6,995.2 points.
• All Ordinaries Index (XAO) at 7,252.3 points.
• Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) at 33,800.6 points after rising 0.89% on Friday night (our time).
• Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) going for US$59,707 per coin.
• Gold (spot) swapping hands for US$1,744 per troy ounce.
• Iron ore asking US$170 per tonne.
• Crude oil (Brent) trading at US$62.95 per barrel.
• Australian dollar buying 76.22 US cents.
• 10-year Australian Government bonds yielding 1.7% per annum.

That’s all folks. See you next week!

More reading

• 2 blue chip ASX dividend shares to buy
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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• 2 buy-rated ASX dividend shares with generous yields
• Is the CSL (ASX:CSL) share price too cheap to ignore?

Sebastian Bowen owns shares of Bitcoin, National Australia Bank Limited, Newcrest Mining Limited, and Telstra Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Bitcoin. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of CSL Ltd., Xero, and ZIPCOLTD FPO. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. recommends EML Payments. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Corporate Travel Management Limited, EML Payments, Macquarie Group Limited, and Telstra Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO, COLESGROUP DEF SET, Transurban Group, Wesfarmers Limited, and Woolworths Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

The post ASX 200 Weekly Wrap: ASX sees 7,000 points once more appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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A company that earns revenue both from its customers and suppliers is listing on the ASX on Monday.

Delorean Corporation Limited (ASX: DEL) has raised $14 million through an initial public offering, with shares priced at 20 cents.

The IPO prospectus showed Delorean made a net profit after tax of $2.6 million in the last financial year.

Managing director and co-founder Joe OIiver told The Motley Fool that the business has already been turning a profit for 5 years.

“Our forecast is for net profit to match or better what we’ve done in financial year 2021.”

So what exactly does this Perth company do?

Turning rubbish into energy

Delorean is in the renewable energy industry, currently selling power to retail and wholesale clients under the CleanTech Energy brand.

The company aims to also become an energy producer by building its own bioenergy generation infrastructure. 

Its generators will receive organic waste that would otherwise end up in landfill, then convert it into electricity and gas.

“The capital from the IPO allows us to directly invest into shovel-ready projects in the Delorean pipeline and continue delivering on our growth strategy,” said Oliver.

The company already has one operational power generator in Western Australia, which has been running since 2015. 

There are plants currently under construction in South Australia and New Zealand. Another two sites in South Australia and Victoria will have their construction kick-started with the new money.

This ambitious vertical integration is how the business can run in the black now, but also have growth immediate prospects.

“As we shift into asset ownership, we’ll be augmenting [the retail business] with newly based revenues… from these infrastructure assets,” Oliver said.

“Our aspiration is to move to a fast growth company… and ultimately be a payer of dividends as we roll out these infrastructure assets.” 

Revenue from both sides of supply chain

Renewable energy is expected to receive positive treatment from all levels of government in the coming years.

“We’ve got a history of success and proven our capabilities in what is a high growth market with favourable regulatory conditions as well as environmental and sustainability benefits,” said Oliver.

The new bioenergy generators also have a unique revenue model where money is coming from both suppliers and customers.

The plants will charge a “gate fee” to parties that want to offload organic waste. Then the converted energy will be sold off to wholesale and retail clients.

“We work with the logistics companies that are picking up waste. We work direct with food manufacturers, councils — the providers of organic waste,” executive chair and co-founder Hamish Jolly told The Motley Fool.

“There is a financial incentive in that there’s not a landfill levy attached to [supplying Delorean], depending on the state.”

Delorean will start its life on the ASX with a market capitalisation of $35.9 million.

More reading

• Synlait (ASX:SM1) share price on watch after sudden CEO exit
• 2 quality small cap ASX shares rated as buys
• 2 blue chip ASX dividend shares to buy
• Is the Woolworths (ASX:WOW) share price a good defensive buy?
• LIVE COVERAGE: ASX to rise; Synlait CEO resigns

Motley Fool contributor Tony Yoo 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.

The post Delorean (ASX:DEL) debuts on ASX, already posting profits appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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