Tag: Motley Fool

  • Get ready for shares to take off in 2023: expert

    Boy dressed in business suit with rocket strapped to back ready to take offBoy dressed in business suit with rocket strapped to back ready to take off

    The chances are you’re feeling pretty crook in the stomach thinking about your finances and investments right now.

    “The nights are long, life is eye-wateringly expensive, the world and his wife are on strike and your investments are probably worth a bit less than they were a year ago,” Fidelity International investment director Tom Stevenson said in the UK’s The Telegraph.

    “Happy new year.”

    So what can we expect in 2023? Stevenson gazed into his crystal ball for some answers.

    Stock markets are not the economy

    It was about a year ago when stock markets peaked then spent all of 2022 in a quagmire of pessimism.

    This behaviour was the perfect demonstration of how shares are far more forward-looking compared to the economy.

    “The rest of the world has now caught up, with the International Monetary Fund predicting that a third of the world will be in recession this year.”

    So the first piece of advice from Stevenson is to keep looking ahead during 2023 when there will be much noise about how awful the world is going.

    “Investors’ first new year resolution should be to lift their gaze above what is certain to be a gloomy cocktail of headlines.”

    Second thing to remember is that Stevenson reckons stock markets will start rising well before the real-time economy even looks like it’s recovering.

    “They fell in 2022 ahead of the economic challenges we are starting to feel now and they will turn the other way before the green shoots of recovery actually appear,” he said.

    “That is directionally what will happen. The exact timing of the market pivot, however, is harder to predict.”

    Patience will be handsomely rewarded

    Stevenson’s analysis of 150 years of movements in the US suggests that the current cycle has more to run.

    “The duration of the current bear market is short if, as is likely, we do suffer a recession this year. This certainly argues against the October low being the trough for the current cycle.”

    But to counter this, “deteriorating sentiment” seems to be already priced in.

    “That part of the reset has already happened. The 32% decline in the market’s price-to-earnings multiple is in line with the long run average.”

    Therefore, Stevenson’s advice is that patience will be required for a revival in stock prices.

    “I expect the October low to be retested, perhaps more than once this year. The principal driver of that will be lower earnings rather than a further fall in valuation.”

    He noted from history that it’s not impossible for the market to fall in two consecutive years, but it’s highly unusual.

    And staying invested will ultimately prove fruitful for those who can stick it out.

    “The average gain from a bear market low to the next peak is almost 90% over three-and-a-half years,” said Stevenson.

    “So, really, despite it all, happy new year.”

    The post Get ready for shares to take off in 2023: expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    FREE Beginners Investing Guide

    Despite what some people may say – we believe investing in shares doesn’t have to be overwhelming or complicated…

    For over a decade, we’ve been helping everyday Aussies get started on their journey.

    And to help even more people cut through some of the confusion “experts’” seem to want to perpetuate – we’ve created a brand-new “how to” guide.

    Yes, Claim my FREE copy!
    *Returns as of January 5 2023

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    Motley Fool contributor Tony Yoo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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  • Own ASX lithium shares? Here’s the latest lithium price forecast

    asx lithium shares represented by two little wooden peg dolls one with happy face below full battery icon, the other with sad face below empty battery icon

    asx lithium shares represented by two little wooden peg dolls one with happy face below full battery icon, the other with sad face below empty battery icon

    Every other week it seems that there’s another ASX lithium share trading on the Australian share market.

    And while many lithium shares have proven to be very successful investments, the industry’s outlook has changed recently and uncertainty is starting to creep in regarding future prices of the white metal.

    The likes of Allkem Ltd (ASX: AKE) and Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) are printing money right now thanks to sky high prices for the battery making ingredient, but will this be the case when explorers like Aruma Resources Ltd (ASX: AAJ), Azure Minerals Ltd (ASX: AZS), and Red Dirt Metals Ltd (ASX: RDT) finally dig something out of the ground?

    Goldman Sachs doesn’t appear to believe it will be the case. This week, the broker reiterated its view that it believes lithium prices will start to tumble from the second half of 2023. This is supported by recent weakness in lithium futures contracts. Its analysts explained:

    Our commodity team expect lithium prices through 1H23 to reflect the near-term tightness and lagging spodumene contract price pass-through (highlighted by PLS’ recent offtake repricing) before declining over 2H23, where we note 2024 futures have continued to pull back. While we see earnings support for the Australian stocks over 12-18 months on price lags, we expect lithium stock prices to reflect lithium commodity price movements as prices decline from record peaks.

    Lithium price forecast

    Goldman is now forecasting the following average prices for these lithium types in the coming years compared to current spot prices:

    • Lithium carbonate (per tonne)
      • Spot: US$66,750
      • 2023: US$53,300
      • 2024: US$11,000
      • 2025: US$11,000
    • Lithium hydroxide (per tonne)
      • Spot: US$76,650
      • 2023: US$58,650
      • 2024: US$12,500
      • 2025: US$12,500
    • Lithium spodumene 6% (per tonne)
      • Spot: US$5,990
      • 2023: US$4,330
      • 2024: US$800
      • 2025: US$800

    Are these forecasts absurd?

    When you look at the prices above, you might be forgiven for thinking that Goldman Sachs’ analysts have made a huge mistake. How could prices collapse so much?

    But the reality is that these forecasts are more than realistic. In fact, the prices are still better than what lithium was commanding in 2020.

    At that point, the different lithium types were commanding the following per tonne:

    • Lithium carbonate – US$6,943
    • Lithium hydroxide – US$9,978
    • Spodumene 6% – US$429

    So, while it would be a huge drop from current spot prices, it isn’t inconceivable that this could happen if supply starts to outpace demand.

    All in all, these are interesting times for ASX lithium shares.

    The post Own ASX lithium shares? Here’s the latest lithium price forecast appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should 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 over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at near dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of January 5 2023

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Allkem. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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  • Burning hot: The outlook for ASX 200 energy shares in 2023

    Concept image of a man in a suit with his chest on fire.Concept image of a man in a suit with his chest on fire.

    ASX 200 energy shares appear set to continue flying in 2023, as the world continues to adapt to a complete restructuring of global energy supply chains due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

    In a show of unity against Russian aggression, many countries have sought alternative sources of energy so they can boycott Russian exports.

    This has led to a surge in global commodity prices for coal, oil, and gas. The beneficiaries: ASX 200 energy shares.

    During a shocker of a year for ASX 200 shares in general, energy shares shined megawatts in 2022.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Energy (ASX: XEJ) rose by 40% while the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) dipped 5.5%.

    The top-performing ASX 200 energy shares of 2022 delivered unbelievable gains, led by Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) with an extraordinary share price rise of 261%.

    So, what’s ahead for ASX 200 energy shares in 2023?

    The Federal Government forecasts continuing record earnings from resource and energy exports. This bodes well for ASX 200 energy shares.

    The Office of the Chief Economist says resource and energy export earnings are tipped to set another new record at $459 billion for FY23.

    Then, it predicts a drop back to $391 billion in FY24 — still the third-highest level of earnings on record.

    According to a report published last month, lower demand due to a slowing global economy and eased supply disruptions will reduce commodity prices after FY24.

    The report gave this overview:

    Energy commodity prices have fallen from record highs … but will likely stay above prewar levels in 2023, as some Russian energy supply becomes stranded.

    Australian thermal coal prices have declined from record levels, but remain high historically.

    Metallurgical coal prices have steadied … Prices are likely to drift down over 2023, as supply recovers.

    Oil prices have steadied below the US$90 a barrel mark, as weak demand more than offsets the impact of supply cuts.

    [Spot LNG] prices are likely to stay well above pre-war levels, as some Russian gas output is stranded.

    After 2023–24, earnings from [LNG and thermal coal] are likely to fall back towards pre-COVID-19 levels, as gains in world supply bring down prices.

    What do the market experts think?

    United States investment behemoth BlackRock Inc (NYSE: BLK) is backing global energy shares for the short and long term.

    In the short term, ongoing supply constraints make them especially appealing. But in the long term, fossil fuels will also play a critical role in decarbonisation for some time yet.

    In its 2023 outlook, BlackRock says:

    Western sanctions have triggered a pursuit of economic selfsufficiency. Energy security is now a priority: As Europe weans itself off Russian oil and gas, we’ve seen energy shortages and higher prices.

    In the U.S., we see a push to favor trading partners when sourcing the metals and materials needed in the net-zero transition.

    Oil and gas will still be needed to meet future energy demand under any plausible transition.

    If high-carbon production falls faster than low-carbon alternatives are phased in, shortages could result, driving up prices and disrupting economic activity.

    Should you buy ASX 200 energy shares now?

    As every investor knows, you’ve got to be careful when buying cyclical stocks like ASX 200 energy shares at a time of historically high share prices and commodity prices.

    Some investors may see the justification for doing so. Continuing relatively high commodity prices — at least for now — is likely to mean greater dividend income for shareholders in FY23 and FY24.

    Top ASX 200 energy shares like Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Whitehaven Coal paid record dividends in FY22.

    Continuing high commodity prices could make 2023 a huge year for passive income.

    This could be important for many investors, with brokerage Investors Mutual saying dividends are now ‘critical’ because capital growth is likely to be lower for the next decade.

    So, even at today’s prices, ASX 200 energy shares might still be attractive to some investors on these grounds.

    Which ASX 200 energy shares will pay the highest dividends?

    Looking ahead to FY24, ASX 200 coal share New Hope Corporation Limited (ASX: NHC) is expected to pay the biggest dividend of the ASX 200 energy shares, as my Fool colleague James reports.

    Consensus estimates are $1.30 per share, which equates to a 22% dividend yield.

    Citi is expecting even bigger things. It reckons New Hope could end up paying $1.93 per share. That’s a 32% yield — which equates to party time for shareholders.

    Whitehaven coal is also expected to pay out big.

    Consensus estimates of an FY24 dividend of 91 cents per share equate to a 10.5% dividend yield. Bell Potter reckons the dividend could go as high as $1.66 per share, which equates to a 19.3% yield.

    Coal miner Coronado Global Resources Inc (ASX: CRN) is expected to pay 24.1 cents in FY24, according to consensus estimates. That’s a 12% dividend yield.

    Bell Potter is also far more bullish on this one, tipping 45.5 cents per share, which is a 23% yield.

    The post Burning hot: The outlook for ASX 200 energy shares in 2023 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    FREE Investing Guide for Beginners

    Despite what some people may say – we believe investing in shares doesn’t have to be overwhelming or complicated…

    For over a decade, we’ve been helping everyday Aussies get started on their journey.

    And to help even more people cut through some of the confusion “experts’” seem to want to perpetuate – we’ve created a brand-new “how to” guide.

    Yes, Claim my FREE copy!
    *Returns as of January 5 2023

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    Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Woodside Energy Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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  • Is CSL the best ASX 200 share to buy in 2023?

    A woman looks questioning as she puts a coin into a piggy bank.

    The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is home to 200 of the largest listed companies on the Australian share market.

    And while some speculative companies sneak in at the low end now and then because of irrational exuberance, the majority of the constituents of the index are high quality businesses.

    But given that there are 200 ASX shares to choose from on the index, it can be hard to decide which ones to buy above others.

    But don’t worry, to help you on your way, listed below is an ASX 200 share that analysts rate very highly right now.

    CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)

    CSL could be an ASX 200 share to buy in 2023.

    It is one of the world’s leading biotherapeutics companies with a collection of industry-leading therapies. This includes therapies such as Privigen, Hizentra, Idelvion, and Afstyla.

    In addition, CSL reinvests in the region of 12% of its sales back into research and development (R&D) activities each year. Given that CSL delivered sales of US$10.7 billion in FY 2022, that’s clearly a large spend on R&D. But it has proven to be more than worth it in the past, with CSL earning a compelling return on investment.

    This also looks likely to be the case in the future, with CSL’s R&D pipeline containing some potentially lucrative therapies and vaccines.

    Combined with its new plasma collection technology, which is expected to yield stronger results and boost margins, the future looks bright.

    It’s no wonder then that Citi is forecasting strong earnings growth in the coming years. It expects earnings per share growth of 20% in FY 2023, 23.1% in FY 2024, and then 15.9% in FY 2025.

    It’s also no surprise following recent weakness in the CSL share price and its positive outlook, that Citi sees major upside potential for its shares this year.

    The broker currently has a buy rating and $340 price target. Based on the current CSL share price of $282.98, this suggests that the company’s shares could rise 20% between now and the end of the year.

    Overall, Citi appears to believe this makes CSL an excellent ASX 200 share to buy now.

    The post Is CSL the best ASX 200 share to buy in 2023? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should 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 over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at near dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of January 5 2023

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL. 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 Scott Phillips.

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  • Buy these ASX 200 dividend shares when the market reopens: analysts

    A woman wearing glasses and a black top smiles broadly as she stares at a money yarn full of coins representing the rising JB Hi-Fi share price and rising dividends over the past five years

    A woman wearing glasses and a black top smiles broadly as she stares at a money yarn full of coins representing the rising JB Hi-Fi share price and rising dividends over the past five years

    Are you looking for ASX 200 dividend shares to buy when the market reopens?

    If you are, then you may want to check out the two listed below that are from very different sides of the market. This could make them good options if you’re looking to maintain a diverse portfolio.

    Here’s why analysts rate them highly right now:

    Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

    The first ASX 200 dividend share that has been rated as a buy is Santos.

    It was already one of the region’s largest energy producers. But thanks to its recent merger with Oil Search, it is now even larger and was aiming to deliver production of 103-106 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe) in 2022. This will be up from 92.1 mmboe in 2021.

    The team at Morgans is positive on the company due to its growth prospects and diversified earnings base. The broker believes this leaves it  “well placed to outperform against a backdrop of a broader sector recovery.”

    Morgans currently has an add rating and $9.00 price target on Santos’ shares.

    As for dividends, the broker is expecting dividends per share of 23 cents in FY 2022 and 24.4 cents in FY 2023. Based on the current Santos share price of $7.33, this will mean yields of 3.1% and 3.3%, respectively.

    Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW)

    Another ASX 200 dividend share that has been named as a buy is Woolworths.

    It is of course the retail giant behind the eponymous Woolworths supermarket brand. In addition, it owns a collection of other brands such as Big W and has a growing presence in the pet care and food market.

    Goldman Sachs is bullish on Woolworths due to its strong market position and digital leadership. It expects the latter to become important in the coming years and believes it could help support further market share and margin gains.

    Goldman currently has a conviction buy rating and $41.70 price target on the company’s shares.

    In respect to dividends, the broker is forecasting fully franked dividends of $1.02 per share in FY 2023 and $1.13 per share in FY 2024. Based on the current Woolworths share price of $33.88, this will mean yields of 3% and 3.3%, respectively.

    The post Buy these ASX 200 dividend shares when the market reopens: analysts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Why skyrocketing inflation doesn’t have to be the death of your savings…

    Goldman Sachs has revealed investors’ savings don’t have to go up in smoke because of skyrocketing inflation… Because in times of high inflation, dividend stocks can potentially beat the wider market.

    The investment bank’s research is based on stocks in the S&P 500 index going as far back as 1940.

    This FREE report reveals 3 stocks not only boasting inflation-fighting dividends but that also have strong potential for massive long term gains…

    Learn more about our Top 3 Dividend Stocks report
    *Returns as of January 5 2023

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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  • US inflation is cooling: I’d buy these 3 ASX shares right now

    Three business people join hands in strength and unity

    Three business people join hands in strength and unity

    The inflation data in the US is finally starting to look positive. After a year of very high inflation, things are finally settling down. This could be good news for some ASX shares.

    According to reporting by CNBC, the consumer price index (CPI) dropped by 0.1% in December, which is what experts were largely anticipating.

    Excluding food and energy, core CPI rose by 0.3%, which analysts were expecting as well.

    Compared to a year ago, the headline CPI rose 6.5%, and core inflation was up 5.7%. Of course, that’s still plenty higher than the US Federal Reserve would like. But, month on month, things are looking promising.

    Prices at the petrol pump were down by 9.4% for the month and are now down 1.5% year over year, according to CNBC.

    While petrol was a core factor in the decline, which isn’t likely to be repeated every month, lower petrol prices can help lower inflation in other areas, such as transportation and delivery.

    With the inflation picture looking better, this could give the US Federal Reserve some food for thought about how high interest rates need to go. But, there is a risk that company earnings could be impacted by the trickier economic picture because of higher interest rates.

    With the prospect of lowering US inflation, I think these three ASX shares are buys after dropping significantly:

    Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

    This exchange-traded fund (ETF) gives investors the ability to invest in 100 of the largest non-financial businesses on the NASDAQ.

    Many readers have probably heard of a number of the ASX ETF’s holdings, including Microsoft, Apple, Amazon.com, Alphabet, Nvidia, Meta Platforms, Tesla, PepsiCo and Costco.

    The rising interest rates appear to have hurt the valuation of many of those big names. Interest rates hitting a peak could give investors some more confidence.

    While the short-term economic outlook is uncertain, I think plenty of the names I’ve mentioned are among the best globally at what they do. In my opinion, as a group of businesses, the NASDAQ 100 can keep performing well and growing globally as they invest in their current products and services while occasionally starting a new service.

    After dropping around 30% since the end of 2021, this is why I think the ETF looks compelling.

    Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

    This ASX share is another ETF full of leading companies. While many positions aren’t household names, they represent some of the global leaders when it comes to cybersecurity.

    In an increasingly digital world, protecting data, intellectual property and so on is vitally important. Just look at the reputational damage done by the hacks of Optus and Medibank Private Limited (ASX: MPL) last year.

    I believe the cybersecurity sector can continue to achieve higher revenue and earnings as demand increases. As cybercriminals improve their capabilities, businesses and organisations will want to make sure their cyber protections are advancing as well.

    After a 26% fall over the past year, this ETF looks to me like an attractive long-term option.

    Altium Limited (ASX: ALU)

    Altium is one of the leading ASX tech shares in my opinion. It is a world-leading electronic PCB design software business.

    The company is also becoming increasingly involved in other elements of the electronics world. For example, it has Octopart (an electrical part search engine) and Altimade (PCB manufacturing on demand).

    Altium is indirectly benefiting from the world becoming more electronic and advanced. It has a number of high-profile clients like Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, Space X, NASA, Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH) and Amazon.com.

    With the West’s improving relations with China, there’s a good chance that Altium’s earnings can increase in the country as well.

    The Altium share price is down around 20% since the end of 2021, so it looks better value. Management expects both revenue and the earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margin to grow in the next few years.

    The post US inflation is cooling: I’d buy these 3 ASX shares right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should 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 over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. These stocks are trading at near dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of January 5 2023

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    Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Altium. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Altium, Amazon.com, Apple, BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Cochlear, Costco Wholesale, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long March 2023 $120 calls on Apple and short March 2023 $130 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF and BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon.com, Apple, Cochlear, Meta Platforms, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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  • 3 reasons to invest in the ASX 200 in 2023

    Three business people stand on platforms in the desert and look out through telescopes.Three business people stand on platforms in the desert and look out through telescopes.

    Well, it’s a brand new year. So if you’re looking to give your finances a new year’s makeover or plan to manage your money better as a new year’s resolution, then ASX 200 shares are a great place to start.

    The ASX 200 is an index, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) to be exact. This index tracks the performance of the 200 largest shares on the Australian share market. You can’t invest directly in the index itself. But you can invest in an index fund with a portfolio of shares that exactly mirrors the composition of the ASX 200.

    One example is the iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ). This exchange-traded fund (ETF) holds all 200 shares in the Index in its portfolio. If you invest in this ETF, then you are exposed to the profits of all of these 200 companies.

    That brings us to our first reason for investing in the ASX 200:

    Diversification

    Diversification, or not putting all of your eggs in one basket, is a concept that most financial advisers will tell you is a very good idea when it comes to ASX investing.

    If you only own, say, shares of the big four ASX banks, then your fortunes are solely tied to the success of the ASX banking industry. Most experts will tell you that isn’t a prudent way to invest your capital.

    But with an index ETF, your money is spread out amongst 200 different companies, all operating in different corners of the economy.

    You get everything from banking with Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), to mining with BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), to communications with Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) to groceries with Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW).

    An ASX 200 index fund is instantly diversified, which removes this important consideration from the equation immediately.

    Simplicity

    Building on this concept, the second reason to consider investing in the S&P/ASX 200 Index is simplicity. Building a portfolio of individual shares requires a lot of research, pricing considerations for your trades, and the balancing act of diversification that we’ve already discussed.

    But investing in just the index removes all of these barriers from your path. Knowing you are getting the top tier of ASX businesses at all times should be of enormous comfort to any investor with large exposure to the ASX 200.

    ASX 200 returns

    Our final reason is perhaps the best: the ASX 200 gets results.

    The iShares ASX 200 ETF that we discussed earlier has been around for more than a decade. Since its inception in 2010, investors have enjoyed an average return of 7.66% per annum. Over the past 10 years, it’s 8.43% per annum:

    That is far better than you would have received from any savings account or term deposit.

    Around half of those returns come from dividends and franking credits, giving you a nice source of income from your investments as well. This is paid out every quarter, which many investors would appreciate.

    The post 3 reasons to invest in the ASX 200 in 2023 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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  • 3 ASX 200 shares with highly-scalable business models

    A little girl stands on a chair and reaches really, really high with her hand, in front of a yellow background.A little girl stands on a chair and reaches really, really high with her hand, in front of a yellow background.

    I love investing in ASX growth shares. And I particularly love investing in ASX growth shares with scalable business models.

    Scalability refers to how easy it is to expand a business and grow revenues at a much faster rate than costs. 

    How is this possible? Well, scalable businesses have a higher proportion of fixed costs compared to variable costs. 

    Take a software business, for example. Once the software has been created, there’s typically very little cost involved in rolling it out to an extra customer. 

    This can lead to a wonderful thing called operating leverage, where more and more sales dollars fall to the bottom line. 

    With that in mind, let’s take a look at three ASX 200 shares that benefit from scalable business models.

    REA Group Limited (ASX: REA)

    To kick things off, REA is the ASX 200 share behind one of the most prominent brands in Australia. 

    Realestate.com.au is not only the nation’s largest property portal. According to market research firm Nielsen, it’s also the seventh-largest online brand in the country. It averages 124 million visits across nearly 13 million people each month, reaching 62% of Australia’s adult population.

    As a digital business, REA is highly scalable. It can attract new customers with ease, without having to invest significant amounts of capital to grow.

    Take its core property portal, for example. REA generates listing revenue when a real estate agency advertises a property on its portal. But crucially, REA collects these fees without having to do much at all. The portal has already been built and it works seamlessly. There are hardly any costs involved in adding an extra property listing to the portal. 

    In other words, REA generates this listing revenue at high gross profit margins. 

    A fair chunk of this gross profit translates into earnings. In FY22, REA achieved an EBITDA margin of 57% across the group.

    Deterra Royalties Ltd (ASX: DRR)

    Next up, Deterra Royalties is a lesser-known ASX 200 share with a business model unique to the ASX. 

    Deterra was spun off from Iluka Resources Limited (ASX: ILU) in 2020 to separate the mineral sands and royalty businesses.

    Deterra currently holds six royalty assets in its portfolio, with its cornerstone asset being the Mining Area C (MAC) Royalty.

    Operated by BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Mining Area C is set to become the largest iron ore hub in the world. It’s expected to produce 145 million tonnes of iron ore each year when the recently-completed South Flank expansion reaches full production.

    The MAC royalty is revenue-based, with Deterra earning 1.232% of revenue from the MAC royalty area plus capacity payments. As a result, Deterra’s business model captures the upside of expansions and extensions without any exposure to the mine’s operating costs or capital contributions.

    This simple and scalable model enabled Deterra to achieve an unbelievable underlying EBITDA margin of 97% in FY22. As an added benefit for shareholders, the company is committed to paying out 100% of its net profit after tax (NPAT) as dividends.

    Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME)

    Last but not least is a company that I believe is one of the highest-quality growth shares on the ASX.

    I recently profiled Pro Medicus as an ASX 200 share with juicy gross profit margins, which goes hand in hand with scalability.

    But I think the economics of the business are deserving of another shout.

    Pro Medicus is one of the very first companies that spring to mind when I think of operating leverage. It has it in spades. 

    For those who are unfamiliar, Pro Medicus is a global leader in radiology imaging software through its Visage technology.

    The company’s scalability and operating leverage are best seen through its wide profit margins. In FY22, Pro Medicus achieved an EBIT margin of 67%. Put another way, Pro Medicus turned two-thirds of every sales dollar into profit before tax. 

    What’s more, as the company’s topline flourishes, these margins have only been heading higher over time.

    The post 3 ASX 200 shares with highly-scalable business models appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Motley Fool contributor Cathryn Goh has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended REA Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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  • The ASX 200 shares with a multi-billion-dollar tailwind

    Confident male executive dressed in a dark blue suit leans against a doorway with his arms crossed in the corporate officeConfident male executive dressed in a dark blue suit leans against a doorway with his arms crossed in the corporate office

    Returns from S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) included shares have been hit-and-miss during the past 12 months.

    A great example is the chalk-and-cheese performance of the energy and tech sectors. The former cooked up an impressive 30% return, while the latter slapped investors with a 30% downward voyage.

    However, investors have been somewhat undecided on which direction one particular collection of companies should be heading. With a mixed bag of returns, ASX 200 bank shares have kept shareholders on their toes as they consider the tug and pull of headwinds and tailwinds.

    If the Australian economy does weaken in 2023, the banks are at risk of increased bad debts. But, if the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) can orchestrate a ‘soft landing’, this segment of the share market might shift its focus to the major earnings tailwind.

    Can you take me higher?

    The RBA responded with a resounding yes to the question, “can you take me higher?” as sung by Scott Stapp, lead singer of the band Creed… jacking up interest rates at an unprecedented rate, from 0.1% to 3.1% in eight months.

    For everyday Australians with a mortgage, the RBA’s response to inflation has been a painful one. But for ASX 200 bank shares, it has ushered in the return of the ‘good ole’ days’. The days when capital came at a meaningful cost and lenders made considerable margins.

    As interest rates have risen, the net interest margin (NIM) has fattened simultaneously. This is because the banks quickly pass on the fall rate increase to loans but aren’t quite as generous when adjusting their deposit rates — as many of us will have experienced firsthand.

    The difference in a per cent may not sound like much. But when we’re dealing with loan books like that of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), which reached $883 billion at the end of June 2022 — a slight change to the NIM can add or subtract billions on the bottom line.

    Additionally, banks hold what are called ‘non-lending interest earning assets’ on their balance sheets. These are usually some form of low-risk asset — bonds and treasury notes — that provide a fairly stable return. ASX 200 banks are benefitting from increased interest revenue as the central bank cash rate rises.

    Based on CBA’s balance sheet, the banking giant would collect an extra ~$674.5 million for every 25 basis point increase.

    What’s ahead for ASX 200 bank shares?

    The latest data for Australia and the United States suggests inflation might have hit its peak already.

    A single data point doesn’t make a trend, but if it turns out to be the case, the continuous interest rate increases could be nearing their end. We will get more information on the rate roadmap at the next RBA meeting on 7 February.

    If you can’t wait until February, tonight might serve up some insights into the future of ASX 200 bank shares. The big four of the United States are slated to report earnings tonight, including Bank of America Corp (NYSE: BAC), Citigroup Inc (NYSE: C), JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE: JPM), and Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE: WFG).

    The post The ASX 200 shares with a multi-billion-dollar tailwind appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Bank of America is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Motley Fool contributor Mitchell Lawler has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and West Fraser Timber. 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 Scott Phillips.

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  • Could Qantas shares hit turbulence as competition ramps up?

    Concept image of a plane flying above a graph and stacks of coins.Concept image of a plane flying above a graph and stacks of coins.

    A new budget airline will fly high in the skies soon, but will this create any turbulence for Qantas?

    Qantas shares lifted 0.78% today to close at $6.47. For perspective, the S&P/ASX 200 (ASX: XJO) jumped 0.66% today. Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) shares rose 0.51% today, while Webjet Ltd (ASX: WEB) shares climbed 2.28%.

    Let’s examine in more detail what might play out for Qantas in the future.

    What’s ahead?

    Qantas and its subsidiary Jetstar may soon face competition from a new airline.

    Budget airline Bonza has received approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to launch flights within Australia.

    Bonza will fly to destinations including the Sunshine Coast, Mildura, Albury, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Melbourne, Avalon, Newcastle, Tamworth, Townsville, Bundaberg, Gladstone and Toowoomba, according to an Australian Aviation report.

    However, RBC Capital Markets analysts warn new airline Bonza could place pressure on Jetstar ticket pricing. In a note quoted by The Australian, analysts said they believed Bonza was targeting a market somewhere “between Jetstar and QantasLink/Regional Express Holdings Ltd (ASX: REX)”.

    Jetstar is 100% owned by Qantas and operates flights at budget prices. During COVID-19, Jetstar competitor Tigerair folded after 13 years of operation.

    What’s the plan?

    Initially, Bonza will test the market and then target more of Jestar’s market if this strategy is successful, the publication reported. This could place “increased pressure on ticket pricing, which Jetstar has been able to benefit from over the last 12 to 18 months”.

    RBC Capital added:

    Initially, Bonza will only be competing directly with Jetstar as the discount operator on isolated routes out of Melbourne.

    We believe this initial small step on Jetstar’s routes is deliberate as a means of testing the market and its own operations

    Despite RBC Capital’s comments on Bonza, the broker still has a $7.25 price target on the Qantas share price. This implies an upside of 7.5% based on today’s closing price.  

    Meanwhile, analysts at Morgans have recently placed an add rating on the Qantas share price with an $8.50 price target.

    Share price snapshot

    Qantas shares have soared 30% in the last year.

    Qantas has a market capitalisation of about $11.7 billion based on the current share price.

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