Tag: Motley Fool

  • Mineral Commodities (ASX:MRC) share price plummets 25% as CEO sacked

    Falling asx share price represented by man in chinos falling suspended in mid-air

    The Mineral Commodities Limited (ASX: MRC) share price spent today in freefall after the termination of its CEO. The notice was issued after close of trade yesterday, with today being the first time investors had the chance to react. 

    The Mineral Commodities share price opened 2.8% down on yesterday’s close, but by midday it was down by 20% and at close of trade it hit a 25% loss.

    Let’s look deeper into the CEO’s sacking.

    “The Board’s relationship with, and the provision of CEO services by, Mr Caruso became untenable” 

    Mineral Commodities reported last night that Mark Caruso was forced out of the role of CEO due to a “breakdown” between himself and the board.

    What caused the breakdown is a mystery, with the only explanation given by the company vague.

    According to the company, the CEO’s sacking followed a “commencement of enquiries into a potential related party matter”.

    Perhaps foreseeing enquires into what the matter may be, the company continued: “Those enquiries are ongoing and the company is unable to provide further detail at this time.”

    Your guess is as good as mine as to what muddied the relationship between Caruso and the board. Such ambiguity likely didn’t help Mineral Commodities’ share price today.

    Caruso had held the role of CEO at Mineral Commodities since 2012.

    The company’s chair, David Baker, and its non-executive director, Russell Tipper, will now take on the role of acting CEO. The board will begin its search for a replacement CEO immediately.

    In its statement the company described the situation as “regrettable”. Particularly given Caruso’s contribution to its growth.

    The company finished its announcement by reiterating the apparent necessity of the move.

    “The Board has resolved that it is in the best interests of the Company, and in line with its legal and governance obligations to proceed in this way,” it said.

    Mineral Commodities share price snapshot

    After today’s drama, the Mineral Commodities share price has lost any gains it has made on the ASX in 2021. It’s currently down 25% year to date. Though, it’s still up 58% over the last 12 months.

    At the time of writing, Mineral Commodities’ share price is 27 cents, down from its previous close of 36 cents.

    The company has a market capitalisation of around $164 million, with approximately 456 million shares outstanding.

    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 Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

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

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  • Here’s why the Food Revolution (ASX:FOD) share price jumped 8% today

    businessman handing $100 note to another in supermarket aisle representing woolworths share price

    The Food Revolution Group Ltd (ASX: FOD) share price had a very healthy day today. The share price was sent shooting for the sky after the company provided an update on sales of its product at Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), and new deals with Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) and Metcash Limited (ASX: MTS).

    The Food Revolution share price was as high as 4.4 cents today – up 18.5%. At close of trade, shares in the food producer had retreated and are trading for 4 cents each – up 8.11%.

    Let’s take a closer look at Food Revolution’s announcement with Coles and Woolworths.

    What did Food Revolution announce today?

    In a statement to the ASX, Food Revolution Group announced Metcash will sell its ‘Juice Lab Super Shots’ from April. As well, Woolworths Supermarket and Metro stores will stock the item from May. On 9 March, the company began selling its products at Coles stores.

    In its announcement, Food Revolution said sales for the 60mL drink were already exceeding expectations. Coles ranges the ‘Super Shots’ in over 1000 stores already. The group sells the drink in 3 varieties – ‘Focus’, ‘Immunity’, and ‘Digest’.

    Coles sells the product for a base price of $3.50, although this week it is on special for $2.00.

    Words from the CEO

    Speaking on today’s announcement, Food Revolution CEO Tony Rowlinson said

    We are delighted as to the positive response to Juice Lab Wellness shots by our retail partners. Having FOD’s largest customer Woolworths onboard is a fantastic outcome.

    The initial consumer offtake in Coles has been excellent and the team have done a good job meeting the increased demand. With consumers globally seeking products that deliver against immunity and provide functional benefits due to COVID- 19, we are well positioned with our extended range of wellness beverages and carbonated beverages to be rolled out into the market.

    Getting the Juice Lab shots ranged provides us with the catalyst to introduce extended Juice Lab offerings.

    The company estimates the Australian health and wellness market to be valued at $650 million.

    Food Revolution share price snapshot

    Despite today’s impressive gains, Food Revolution has been on a downward trend over the past year. 12 months ago, shares in the company were swapping hands at 7.2 cents each – a 41.7% drop in share price at today’s rate.

    In fact, at the end of 2018, the Food Revolution share price was as high as 20 cents.

    Food Revolution’s market capitalisation is $33.2 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

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    The post Here’s why the Food Revolution (ASX:FOD) share price jumped 8% today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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  • The ASX 200 keeps climbing, TPG drops on Teoh departure, AMP still has a CEO

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rose by around 0.5% to 6,824 points.

    One business lost its talisman founder and this saw a heavy decline of its share price.

    TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG)

    The TPG share price fell by around 7% today after it was announced that David Teoh is resigning from his position from being the chair and a director.

    Mr Teoh shared some comments about his thoughts of the business and his decision to leave:

    I am proud and humbled to have led the company from its founding, through its exciting growth over the years, and most recently into its merger with Vodafone Hutchison Australia. There have been many challenges along the way, but I firmly believe that consumers in Australia have greatly benefited from TPG’s competitive business approach, and that they will continue to do so.

    I am leaving TPG Telecom in good hands with Inaki and has team, and I am confident in its strong future. After nearly 30 years leading TPG, I feel that now is the right time for me to hand over the reins and focus on other interests.

    TPG’s management said that the integration is progressing well between Vodafone Hutchison Australia and TPG and it has made a strong start as a merged company. It is trying to make the most of its significantly increased scaled and opportunities.

    Pointsbet Holdings Ltd (ASX: PBH)

    Pointsbet has announced that Pointsbet USA and Penn National Gaming have agreed to extend the online gaming services framework agreement to provide Pointsbet with online sports betting and iGaming market access in Pennsylvania and Mississippi, subject to enabling legislation and licensure in each of those states. Pennsylvania currently permits online sports betting and iGaming.

    The company will pay Penn National Gaming a portion of the net gaming revenues derived from each additional state.

    Pointsbet Group CEO Sam Swanell said:

    We are very excited about adding another two guaranteed online market access points to our portfolio in Pennsylvania and Mississippi. A mature, total addressable sports betting and iGaming market in Pennsylvania is estimated to be over US$1.75 billion per annum. Further, Pennsylvania is home to Philadelphia, the fourth largest media market in the United States, inclusive of southern New Jersey and a regional pillar of the Comcast-NBC Universal asset portfolio. NBC Sports Philadelphia owns the in-game broadcast rights to the Phillies, 76ers, and Flyers covering over 290 live events per year across 4.1 million households.

    AMP Limited (ASX: AMP)

    Today, AMP confirmed there has been no change to the CEO’s position and that Mr De Ferrari has not resigned despite the media speculation.

    The ASX 200 financial business said that the board and Mr De Ferrari are working together and constructively discussing the future strategy and leadership of the group, after the completion of AMP’s portfolio review.

    Those discussions are ongoing and AMP will provide updates as required.

    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 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.

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  • ASX 200 travel shares poised to see pent up travel demand unleashed

    travel asx share price represented by suitcase wearing covid mask

    When COVID-19 morphed from a concerning new virus into a global pandemic in February 2020, S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares took a beating like never before.

    Indeed the 33% selloff the market endured in a period of just 1 month (21 February through to 20 March) ranks as the most ferocious and rapid bear market in ASX 200 history.

    While no shares were entirely spared in the initial wave of panic selling, ASX 200 travel shares took some of the heaviest losses.

    ASX 200 travel shares smashed by border closures

    When domestic and international air travel ground to a virtual standstill the Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) share price plummeted 64%. The Sydney Airport (ASX: SYD) was also ravaged, losing 42% in that same month.

    While both Sydney Airport and Qantas have regained much of those losses, the 2 ASX 200 travel shares remain well below their early pre-pandemic levels as they await the return of high-volume air traffic.

    At the current $5.96 per share, Sydney Airport’s share price is down 34% from where it was trading on 27 December 2019.

    Qantas, currently at $5.11 per share, is down 30% since that same date.

    With those figures in mind, shareholders and investors sitting on the sidelines are eagerly waiting for travellers’ pent-up demand to be let off the leash.

    The travel bug unleashed

    Max Levchin is the CEO of United States’ based payments company Affirm Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: AFRM).

    As Bloomberg reports, Affirm Holdings has been “striking partnerships in industries where he expects consumer demand to bounce back post-pandemic“.

    These include US listed travel shares American Airlines Group Inc (NASDAQ: AAL) Delta Air Lines Inc (NYSE: DAL).

    Why?

    Levchin says as travel option reopen he expects:

    [A] quarter, or maybe a year, of unstoppable desire to not be in the same city or same four walls… Everyone wants to go to Miami right now, and it’s a pretty good preview of what’s going to happen – you’ll see a good amount of travel, experience buying, all sorts of fun stuff is coming our way.

    Of course, that unstoppable pent-up demand for travel won’t last forever.

    As Levchin says, “The question is, how long will it take for people to say, ‘OK, I’ve got the travel bug out of the way?”

    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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    Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. recommends Delta Air Lines. 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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  • Where to reinvest your Telstra (ASX:TLS) dividends

    janus henderson share price increasing represented by pile of australian one hundred dollar notes

    If you’re a Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) shareholder then you’ll be pleased to learn that today is payday. This morning the telco giant paid shareholders its fully franked interim dividend of 8 cents per share.

    While many shareholders will use this for income or use its dividend reinvestment plan, others may want to reinvest these funds into other ASX shares. If that’s you, then you might want to take a look at these highly rated shares:

    Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

    The first ASX share to look at reinvesting these funds into is Goodman Group.

    Goodman develops and owns a high quality portfolio of assets across a number of countries. This portfolio has been curated with its gateway city strategy in mind.

    Management’s focus is on investing in and developing high quality industrial properties in strategic locations. These are close to large urban populations and in and around major gateway cities globally. This is where demand is strong and transformational changes are driving significant opportunities.

    An example of this is the company’s asset in Oakdale West Industrial Estate which is leased to Amazon Australia. Last week the company revealed that the fulfilment centre is on track for completion by the end of the year.

    Once operational, the centre will house up to 11 million items and will be equipped with the most advanced Amazon Robotics technology to assist employees and serve customers.

    Macquarie recently upgraded Goodman’s shares to an outperform rating and lifted its price target to $20.39.

    Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)

    If you’re looking for more dividends, then you might want to consider Westpac.

    Although the big four banks have rallied strongly over the last few months, it doesn’t appear to be too late to invest.

    Especially given the improving economic outlook, the booming housing market, the removal of dividend restrictions, and the relaxation of responsible lending rules.

    One broker that believes the Westpac share price can continue to rise is Morgans. Last month the broker put an add rating and $27.50 price target on its shares. It is also forecasting fully franked dividends of $1.32 per share in FY 2021 and $1.43 per share in FY 2022.

    Based on the latest Westpac share price of $24.34, this will mean 5.4% and 5.9% yields, respectively.

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    Returns As of 15th February 2021

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Telstra 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 outstanding ASX shares for your retirement portfolio

    letter blocks spelling out the word retire

    If you’re currently in retirement or approaching it, you’ll probably be looking for ways to boost your income in this low interest rate environment.

    But which ASX shares should you turn to? Two top options for retirees to look at are listed below. Here’s what you need to know about them:

    BWP Trust (ASX: BWP)

    BWP could be a good ASX share to buy for a retirement portfolio. It is a commercial real estate investment trust with a focus on warehouses.

    The company generates the vast majority of its rental income from properties leased to home improvement giant Bunnings Warehouse.

    At the last count, BWP leased 68 of its 75 properties to the hardware giant, making it the largest owner of Bunnings properties.

    Given the strength of the Bunnings business, this has proven to be a big positive. Particularly for shareholders that have benefited from growing distributions over the last decade. And with Bunnings experiencing strong demand again in 2021, the future looks positive for BWP.

    Ord Minnett is expecting the company to pay an 18 cents per share distribution in FY 2021. Based on the current BWP share price, this represents a 4.5% distribution yield.

    Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)

    Another ASX share to look at for a retirement portfolio is Transurban. It is one of the world’s leading toll road operators.

    Given the quality of its roads, the time-savings they provide, and their strong pricing power, Transurban looks well-placed to resume its growth again once the pandemic passes and traffic volumes recover. This should be supported by new developments and growth projects over the coming years.

    One broker that is positive on the company is Macquarie. It recently put an outperform rating and $14.76 price target on its shares.

    Furthermore, the broker is forecasting dividends of 40.5 cents per share and 60.4 cents per share in FY 2021 and FY 2022, respectively. Based on the current Transurban share price, this equates to yields of 3.1% and 4.7% over the next two years.

    These Dividend Stocks Could Be Your Next Cash Kings (FREE REPORT)

    Motley Fool Australia’s Dividend experts recently released a brand-new FREE report revealing 3 dividend stocks with JUICY franked dividends that could keep paying you meaty dividends for years to come.

    Our team of investors think these 3 dividend stocks should be a ‘must consider’ for any savvy dividend investor. But more importantly, could potentially make Australian investors a heap of passive income.

    Don’t miss out! Simply click the link below to grab your free copy and discover these 3 high conviction stocks now.

    Returns As of 15th February 2021

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

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  • Top broker urging investors to take profit now on this outperforming ASX share

    Downgrade in ASX share price represented by street sign saying downgrade ahead Hub24 share price

    The Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB) share price is zooming higher but this could be the perfect time to lock in profits, according to JPMorgan.

    The Hub24 share price surged 5% to $21.80 in the last hour of trade and has increased by three-fold over the past year.

    But JPMorgan thinks now is the time to sell the shares as it downgraded Hub24 to “underweight” (equivalent to a “sell”).

    Margin squeeze triggers downgrade for Hub24

    The downgrade comes after Hub24’s rival, the Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) share price, said its deposit agreement with the Australia and New Zealand Banking GrpLtd (ASX: ANZ) was terminated.

    The agreement paid Netwealth an enviable 95 basis point premium over the cash rate for deposits on its platform.

    The cash rate is currently set at 0.1% by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). You’d be hard pressed to find a rate close to 1% for your cash!

    Small cut makes for material drop in earnings

    “Cash margin drops straight through to EBITDA for HUB and NWL,” said JPMoran.

    “And any repricing or downward pressure on the rate is likely to have a material impact on earnings.

    “At a high level, cash margin currently accounts for ~34% of NWL’s FY21E EBITDA and up to 47% of HUB’s FY21E EBITDA.”

    How low rates will hurt Hub24 and Netwealth share prices

    The broker estimated that every 10-basis point (0.1%) decrease in the cash margin will cut around 4% off both companies’ earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) figure.

    “Given where interest rates are, and the messaging from the RBA, we have rebased our FY23 estimates to a cash margin of 55bps (i.e., 45bps over a 10bps overnight cash rate),” added JPMorgan.

    “This translates into a ~20% reduction in FY23E EBITDA for both HUB and NWL.”

    The cash rate is unlikely to move higher anytime soon too. The RBA has given a verbal commitment to keep the rate at record lows till 2024 at least as Australia cycles through the economic impact of COVID-19.

    Valuation downgrade

    The impact of JPMorgan’s revised cash margin assumption led to a drop in its 12-month price target on the Hub24 share price to $18.30 from $23.30 a share.

    The Netwealth share price isn’t spared either. The broker’s 12-month target on the ASX share falls to $11.80 from $14.50 a share.

    And in case you are wondering, JPMorgan’s recommendation on Netwealth is kept at “underweight”.

    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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    Brendon Lau owns shares of Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Hub24 Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of Netwealth. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24 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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  • Did the Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) price fly too high too fast?

    Slumping asx share price represented by half deflated balloon

    The Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) price has slipped again over the past 24 hours, down 1.2%. Bitcoin is currently trading for US$51,826 (AU$68,192) having dropped as low as US$50,662 earlier in the day (or night, depending on time zones).

    There’s been plenty of trading going on, with data from CoinDesk showing US$63.86 billion worth of Bitcoin has changed virtual hands in the past 24 hours.

    But with the Bitcoin price now down 16% from its 14 March record high of US$61,557, crypto investors are asking themselves whether the digital token flew too high too fast.

    Did the Bitcoin price fly too close to the sun?

    You may recall the ancient Greek story of the inventor Daedalus. He’s the one who constructed wings from feathers and wax so he and his son Icarus could flee the island of Crete. The problem with wax, of course, is that it’s prone to melting. Hence Daedalus’ painstaking instructions to his son not to fly too close to the sun.

    Well, like any good teenager, Icarus ignored his dad’s advice. Thrilling in soaring ever higher, the sun’s heat eventually melted the wax holding the feathers to his wings. And Icarus plunged ever lower before drowning in the sea.

    Yes, the ancient Greeks were full of uplifting stories.

    But if you’ll forgive the stretched analogy, more analysts are saying they’re concerned that the meteoric rise in the Bitcoin price could lead to a meltdown of its own. Even with the 16% retracement from its record high, the Bitcoin price is still up 675% in the past 12 months.

    Indeed, despite Elon Musk announcing Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) will accept Bitcoin – and hold onto it – for its electric vehicles this week, Bitcoin’s price continues to slide.

    Bitcoin in a downtrend

    Yesterday the Bitcoin price temporarily dropped below its 50-day moving average. Which could be a portent of more falls to come.

    As Bloomberg reports, Miller Tabak + Co. chief market strategist Matt Maley says Bitcoin’s 50-day average price has “been a key support level so far this year… [A] lower-low below that level would scare a lot of momentum players.”

    Julius de Kempenaer, senior analyst at StockCharts.com, adds:

    Shorter-term, what happened yesterday, and following through today, means the start of a new series of lower highs and lower lows, and that’s categorized as a downtrend. It means that we are now in a downtrend on the daily chart and it also means that the upside is now limited.

    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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    Bernd Struben 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 Bitcoin and Tesla. 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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  • Insiders have been buying SEEK (ASX:SEK) and this ASX share

    asx tech shares

    Every so often, I like to take a look to see which shares have experienced meaningful insider buying. This is because insider buying is often regarded as a bullish indicator, as few people know a company and its intrinsic value better than its own directors.

    A number of shares have reported meaningful insider buying this month. Here are a couple which have caught my eye:

    SEEK Limited (ASX: SEK)

    According to a change of director’s interest notice, one of this job listings company’s directors has been buying shares this week. The notice reveals that non executive director, Linda Kristjanson AO, picked up her first shares since joining the company in October last year.

    Kristjanson bought 1,137 shares through an on-market trade on 23 March. She paid an average of $27.688 per share, which equates to a total consideration of $31,481.

    One broker that would approve of this purchase is UBS. Last month the broker upgraded SEEK’s shares to a buy rating with a $32.00 price target.

    Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

    Another change of director’s interest notice reveals that one of this global wine company’s non executive directors has added to their position this month. According to the release, Antonia Korsansos had made two purchases of Treasury Wine Estates shares this month.

    The first was for 3,750 shares on 12 March and the second was for the same number of shares a few days later on 15 March. Both purchases were made on-market at an average of $11.14 per share. This equates to a total consideration of $83,550. These purchases have increased Ms Korsansos’ holding to a total of 12,500 shares.

    The broker community isn’t as confident on Treasury Wines’ prospects. Earlier this month Credit Suisse and Ord Minnett both downgraded the company’s shares to neutral ratings with $11.30 and $11.50 price targets, respectively.

    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 owns shares of SEEK Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended SEEK 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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  • What moved the Commonwealth Bank (ASX:CBA) share price this week

    ASX shares investor looking incredulously at phone

    The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) share price is down 0.64% at $85.99 in late afternoon trading.

    CBA shares are slipping despite the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) edging higher today, up 0.6%.

    If CBA closes in the red today it will join Wednesday as the second day of losses this week. The Commonwealth Bank share price gains posted on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday are enough, however, to see shares up 2.4% over the past 5 days, beating the 1.4% gains on the ASX 200.

    So let’s take a look at what moved the Commonwealth Bank share price this week?

    One CBA legal headache subsides as another emerges

    On Monday CBA, along with Australia and New Zealand Banking Grp Ltd (ASX: ANZ), reported it had settled a long-standing class-action suit in the United States.

    The 2 big banks were part of a group of 17 financial institutions along with 2 international brokerage firms accused of manipulating the bank bill swap rate (BBSW) in the US.

    The Commonwealth Bank share price closed up 0.44% on Monday following news that the 2016 lawsuit had been settled.

    Today a new, though arguably much smaller, legal headache emerged from the bank.

    According to the Finance Sector Union, CBA owes thousands of workers a total of $45 million as they’ve been unable to take the 10-minute tea breaks, which they are contractually allowed to take with pay. Commonwealth Bank has rejected the allegations and said it has yet to see any supporting evidence.

    Concerns of bad home loans easing

    As the coronavirus wreaked havoc on the Australian economy through much of 2020, analysts and economists were increasingly concerned that a wave of home loan defaults was on the horizon.

    While those concerns haven’t entirely disappeared, the most recent data from CBA showed the bank’s consumer home loans in arrears had dropped during the second half of 2020. As at 30 June, 0.63% of Commonwealth Bank’s consumer home loans were overdue by more than 90 days. By 31 December that figure was 0.57%.

    Now that’s not a huge decline, to be sure. But it’s certainly moving in the right direction. If this positive trend continues in 2021, it may help support the Commonwealth Bank share price moving forward.

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    Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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 What moved the Commonwealth Bank (ASX:CBA) share price this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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