Tag: Motley Fool

  • Looking to buy ANZ shares? Here’s why the ASX 200 bank is hitting headlines

    A graphic image of the world globe surrounded by tech images is superimposed on the setting of an office where three businesspeople are speaking together while standing.A graphic image of the world globe surrounded by tech images is superimposed on the setting of an office where three businesspeople are speaking together while standing.

    Looking to buy Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) shares? The market is likely digesting news of the bank’s plans to pull out of Myanmar this morning.

    ANZ cited “increasing operational complexity” as the final nail in the coffin in its dealings in the pariah state. Myanmar has been under military rule since 2021.

    The ANZ share price is up 0.61% at the start of Wednesday’s session to $24.82

    Let’s take a closer look at the latest news from the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) big four bank.

    Own ANZ shares? Here’s why the bank is leaving Myanmar

    Those considering buying ANZ shares will likely want to know of the latest news putting the bank in the headlines.

    The ASX 200 favourite announced it will be abandoning its operations in Myanmar early next year, subject to local regulatory approval, yesterday. A statement from ANZ read:

    Due to increasing operational complexity over the past several months, the bank has been working with its institutional customers to transition to alternative banking arrangements.

    ANZ managing director Simon Ireland commented in the release:

    The decision follows careful consideration of the local operating conditions. We thank the team for working tirelessly to support our customers during this time.

    Our international network and supporting the trade and capital flows of our customers around the region is a critical part of our strategy, and will continue to be for the long term.

    The bank has a small team based in Myanmar, where it has been operating since 2015, to support the onshore and cross-border needs of multinational companies.

    It comes just weeks after ANZ was found to have processed around $5,000 worth of transactions to a military-owned bank, ABC News reported.

    A conglomerate controlling said bank is said to be facing sanctions from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union – none of which ANZ breached.

    The ANZ share price has fallen 11% since the start of 2022. It has also fallen 9% since this time last year.

    For comparison, the ASX 200 has dropped 5% year to date and 3% over the last 12 months.

    The post Looking to buy ANZ shares? Here’s why the ASX 200 bank is hitting headlines 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 November 1 2022

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    Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper 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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  • Qantas share price soars 6% on surprise profit guidance upgrade

    A woman reaches her arms to the sky as a plane flies overhead at sunset.

    A woman reaches her arms to the sky as a plane flies overhead at sunset.The Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) share price is pushing higher on Wednesday.

    In morning trade, the airline operator’s shares are up 6% to a new 52-week high of $6.21.

    Why is the Qantas share price rising?

    Investors have been bidding the Qantas share price higher on Wednesday after the company upgraded its earnings guidance just over a month after last upgrading it.

    According to the release, continued strength in travel demand has put Qantas on course to deliver a stronger than expected profit during the first half.

    Management expects the airline to post an underlying profit before tax of between $1.35 billion and $1.45 billion for the half. This represents a $150 million increase to the guidance range given in early October.

    Qantas notes that this is being driven by consumers continuing to put a high priority on travel ahead of other spending categories. In addition, there are signs that limits on international capacity are driving more domestic leisure demand, which is benefiting Australian tourism.

    Positively, this strong profit is being generated despite fuel costs remaining significantly elevated compared with FY 2019.

    In fact, management expects its fuel costs to reach approximately $5 billion for FY 2023, which would be a record high for the company. That’s despite international capacity tracking around 30% below pre-COVID levels.

    Net debt keeps falling

    Also potentially giving the Qantas share price a boost today is news that the company expects its net debt to fall to an estimated $2.3 billion to $2.5 billion at the end of December. This is around $900 million better than expected in its most recent update.

    This is due largely to the acceleration of revenue inflows as customers book flights into the second half and beyond. The deferral of approximately $200 million of capital expenditure to the second half has also boosted its cash position.

    Finally, the airline also provided an update on its COVID credits. It highlights that 60% of the $2 billion in COVID-related travel credits have now been redeemed by customers. Total credit usage has been consistent at a rate of ~$70 million a month and new initiatives will be announced shortly to encourage the full use of the remaining credits over the next year.

    The Qantas share price is now up over 20% in 2022.

    The post Qantas share price soars 6% on surprise profit guidance upgrade 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 November 1 2022

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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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  • Why is the PolyNovo share price sinking 7% today?

    A worried man holds his head and look at his computer.

    A worried man holds his head and look at his computer.The PolyNovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) share price has returned from its trading halt and sunk into the red.

    At the time of writing, the medical device company’s shares are down 7% to $1.93.

    Why is the PolyNovo share price sinking?

    The weakness in the PolyNovo share price has been driven by the completion of the company’s institutional placement.

    According to the release, the company has raised $30 million before costs through the issue of approximately 15.8 million shares at $1.90 per new share. This represents a 9.1% discount to the PolyNovo share price prior to the halt.

    Management advised that the institutional placement was strongly supported by existing institutional shareholders and new domestic and offshore investors.

    The company will also seek to raise a further $3 million via a placement to directors and $17 million via a non-underwritten share purchase plan. The latter is being undertaken at the same price as the equity raising.

    Why is PolyNovo raising funds?

    PolyNovo revealed that the proceeds from the equity raising will be used to accelerate growth in the United States and the rest of the world, including the newest markets of Canada, India, and Hong Kong.

    In addition, the equity raising will fund the construction of a new co-located manufacturing, R&D, and office facility in Port Melbourne to satisfy a significant increase in demand for its NovoSorb product.

    PolyNovo’s CEO, Swami Raote, commented:

    We are delighted to have received such strong demand from a number of our existing institutional shareholders who continue to support PolyNovo, and we welcome a number of new institutional investors as we continue on our journey to improve patient outcomes.

    Proceeds from the equity raising will allow us to continue to capitalise on the significant opportunities available to us including geographic sales team and indication expansion, investment in R&D and the development of a new facility to satisfy the growing demand for NovoSorb.

    The post Why is the PolyNovo share price sinking 7% today? 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 November 7 2022

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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 positions in and has recommended POLYNOVO FPO. 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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  • Guess which ASX 200 bank share just upped its final dividend by 580%

    A woman with strawberry blonde hair has a huge smile on her face and fist pumps the air having seen good news on her phone.A woman with strawberry blonde hair has a huge smile on her face and fist pumps the air having seen good news on her phone.

    There have been plenty of dividend surprises out of S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares this year. Indeed, many have more than doubled their offerings in 2022. However, not many have grown their dividends by as much as ASX 200 bank share Virgin Money UK CDI (ASX: VUK).

    The digital bank dropped its results for financial year 2022 yesterday, detailing a final dividend worth 0.075 pound sterling – or approximately 13 Aussie cents at today’s exchange rate – per share.

    That’s particularly impressive given the bank paid out just 1.9 cents per share at the end of financial year 2021.

    Additionally, it did not pay an interim dividend last financial year, meaning its latest full-year offering – coming in at around 17.4 cents on the back of the 4.4 cent dividend paid out in June – is a whopping 816% higher year on year. That’s certainly nothing to scoff at.

    Let’s take a closer look at the mammoth dividend put on the table by ASX 200 bank share Virgin Money yesterday.

    ASX 200 bank share posts monumental dividend growth

    That’s right, Virgin Money shares have blown most of the ASX 200 out of the water when it comes to dividend growth in 2022.

    The company posted a $1 billion profit for financial year 2022 yesterday, marking a 43% year-on-year improvement. It also committed to paying out 30% in the form of dividends.

    That’s significant as it suspended dividends in financial year 2019 in light of payment protection insurance charges – a financial scandal that ramped up in the UK in the 2010s.

    Fortunately, financial year 2021 saw Virgin Money return to paying dividends – though, it only offered a final dividend for that year.

    Considering the 13 cents it will assumably payout in financial year 2022 (based on today’s exchange rate) and its current share price – $2.88 – the ASX 200 bank share is trading with a 4.6% dividend yield. That’s certainly nothing to scoff at.

    However, it’s worth noting ASX fans won’t know the exact exchange rate at play until February 2023. Meaning, the stock’s final offering might come in at more or less than 13 cents.

    Virgin Money will trade ex-dividend on 9 February and its final dividend will begin hitting bank accounts from 15 March.

    The post Guess which ASX 200 bank share just upped its final dividend by 580% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Where should you invest $1,000 right now? 3 Dividend Stocks To Help Beat Inflation

    This FREE report reveals three stocks not only boasting sustainable dividends but also have strong potential for massive long term returns…

    Learn more about our Top 3 Dividend Stocks report
    *Returns as of November 1 2022

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    Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper 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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  • Are these ASX 200 lithium shares about to become dividend machines?

    Humorous child with homemade money-making machine.Humorous child with homemade money-making machine.

    There are a number of S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) lithium shares that have shot higher in 2022.

    As resource businesses, investor sentiment is quite heavily linked to how the commodity price performs. If the lithium price goes up, that can largely add to profitability. That’s because it still costs the same to get the resource out of the ground, but the extra revenue falls to the bottom line.

    The lithium price has been climbing this year as demand continued to outstrip supply. Lithium is a key commodity in the production of electric vehicles.

    ASX 200 lithium shares are not known for being dividend payers. Of course, it’s usually names like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) and Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) that have the big dividend yields.

    However, after a period of developing their projects and ramping up production, the lithium miners are now raking in the cash flow from the higher lithium prices.

    With that in mind, it’s possible that the below two names could start dishing out sizeable dividends to shareholders.

    Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS)

    The company recently announced it was planning to start paying a dividend to investors.

    It said that favourable market conditions and “strong” operating margins support the establishment of a capital management framework. Additionally, this will include an inaugural dividend policy. In the most recent Battery Material Exchange (BMX) platform auction, the highest bid was US$7,805 per dry metric tonne (dmt).

    The idea behind this was to establish an “appropriate structure that prudently allocates available capital between investment into the existing business, sustainability commitments, strategic growth opportunities, as well as the provision of sustainable returns to shareholders”.

    The ASX 200 lithium share has built up a cash balance of $1.375 billion at 30 September 2022. It’s going to target a dividend payout ratio of between 20% and 30% of free cash flow. What’s more, this will start in FY23 (the current financial year).

    This dividend payout ratio intends to “provide a sustainable dividend return to shareholders, but also reflects the early stages of Pilbara Minerals’ growth cycle”.

    According to estimates on CommSec, it could pay a grossed-up dividend yield of 4.6% in FY24.

    Mineral Resources Limited (ASX: MIN)

    Mineral Resources is a part iron ore, part ASX 200 lithium share. It has been paying dividends to shareholders for years. However, it’s possible that the dividend could soar higher in the next couple of years as the company’s growth projects come online.

    The business is working on a number of things to try to boost its profitability in the future. For example, on the lithium side of things, it’s looking to double the Mt Marion capacity, ramp up the Kemerton hydroxide plant, convert spodumene to hydroxide and evaluate hydroxide development opportunities. It’s targeting 118kt per annum of hydroxide production.

    While this is a lithium article, I’ll note that Mineral Resources also wants to increase its iron ore production.

    CommSec numbers suggest that by FY24, the company could be paying a grossed-up dividend yield of 7.2%. On the broker Macquarie’s numbers, FY24 could see the ASX 200 lithium share pay a grossed-up dividend yield of 15.5%.

    The post Are these ASX 200 lithium shares about to become dividend machines? 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 November 1 2022

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Fortescue Metals Group Limited. 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 recommended Macquarie Group Limited. 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 US stocks billionaires bought last quarter

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

    posh and rich billionaire couple

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

    It has been a challenging year for investors, but we can all take heart in the fact that some of the world’s most renowned investors are finding opportunities in the bear market and are initiating positions in new stocks.

    These billionaires have long track records of building significant wealth, and according to the latest 13F filings, they were all adding new positions during the third quarter. Let’s look at three interesting new buys that billionaires made during the period.  

    1. Warren Buffett: Taiwan Semiconductor 

    Warren Buffett is arguably the most renowned investor of all time, so anytime his Berkshire Hathaway initiates a new position, it makes a splash within the investment community. His newly revealed position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE: TSM) went a step further and made waves because the $4 billion investment instantly becomes a top-10 position for Berkshire.  

    Buffett has said that it’s far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price. TSMC seems to be both a wonderful company and available at a wonderful price. The company has a significant moat in that it makes some of the world’s smallest and most advanced computer chips.

    Not many companies can simply set up shop and start competing with it. Apple, Buffett’s largest holding, is TSMC’s largest customer and the chipmaker is considered such an important supplier that it is building a foundry in Arizona to serve Apple further. Outside of Apple, Taiwan Semiconductor serves an array of end markets including artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, Internet of Things-enabled devices, and the automotive sector.

    The stock is down 33% year to date as investors worry about an oversupply of semiconductors in the market. But this sell-off created an attractive price for Buffett. The stock trades for just 14 times forward earnings. While TSMC is down year to date, Buffett and his team recognize that semiconductor demand will continue to increase over the long term as chips go into more devices. As a leader in such an industry trading at an attractive valuation, it looks like a great long-term investment.    

    2. Seth Klarman: Lithia Motors

    While it’s not quite as catchy or alliterative as “the Oracle of Omaha,” Seth Klarman is sometimes called “the Oracle of Boston.” And Klarman, the portfolio manager of Baupost Group, is a noted value investor in his own right.

    He founded the hedge fund in 1982 and has grown it to over $31 billion in assets under management. Klarman is notable in that he is a hedge fund manager who doesn’t even own a Bloomberg Terminal because he is unbothered by day-to-day price changes, which is a good lesson for all investors.

    During the third quarter, he initiated a position in Lithia Motors (NYSE: LAD),  an Oregon-based company with a growing network of auto dealerships across the United States and Canada. Given Klarman’s penchant for value investing, it’s not surprising that Lithia Motors caught his eye. The stock has returned nearly 500% over the past decade, but after a 25% decline year to date in 2022, it trades at just 5 times earnings, which is music to Klarman’s ears.

    The stock is down because investors are concerned about a cooling auto market and a slowing economy, but a long-term investor like Klarman recognizes that Lithia has grown earnings at an impressive 32% compound annual rate over the past 10 years. During the most recent quarter, Lithia reported the highest revenue and earnings per share (EPS) in its history.

    Its goal is to grow EPS to $55 or more by 2025, up from about $45 today. Given Lithia’s track record, this seems like a credible target. It also returns considerable capital to shareholders via share repurchases and a small dividend. As the company continues to grow earnings and deliver buybacks and payouts, Lithia looks poised for solid returns over the long term.

    3. Bill Gates: Waste Connections

    While Bill Gates is best known as the founder of Microsoft, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation also has a $34 billion investment portfolio. Buffett is a trustee for the foundation, so Gates is getting insight from one of the best in the business. 

    During the third quarter, Gates started a $290 million position in Waste Connections (NYSE: WCN), making the waste collection company a top-10 holding. While waste collection isn’t the most glamorous industry, it is resilient as an essential business that customers rely on no matter what type of market we are in. Gates seems to appreciate that durability — Waste Management (NYSE: WM) is another one of his largest holdings.

    Waste Connections isn’t cheap at 24 times forward earnings, but this defensive stock has vastly outperformed the broader market in 2022 with a 3% gain year to date, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are deep in the red. The company has handled inflationary pressures on fuel and labor well, and is guiding to higher EPS, revenue, and free cash flow in 2023. In a volatile market, there’s something to be said for this type of consistency and stability. Waste Connections looks like a great choice for investors wanting to preserve their capital with a high-quality defensive stock.       

    While investors should always do their own due diligence, it’s never a bad idea to study what some of the best investors are doing and to look for new ideas based on their buys. Billionaire money managers also wisely know that market pullbacks are buying opportunities over the long run.

    All three of these stocks that billionaires bought last quarter look like good long-term investments, with Taiwan Semiconductor and Lithia Motors standing out based on their attractive valuations.  

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

    The post 3 US stocks billionaires bought last quarter appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    FREE Guide for New Investors

    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 November 7 2022

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    Michael Byrne 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 Apple, Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), Microsoft, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Waste Management and has recommended the following options: long January 2023 $200 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), long March 2023 $120 calls on Apple, short January 2023 $200 puts on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), short January 2023 $265 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), and short March 2023 $130 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple and Berkshire Hathaway (B shares). The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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

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  • 3 ASX 200 shares with enormous insider ownership

    CEO of a company talking to her team.CEO of a company talking to her team.

    There are many factors and characteristics I look at when it comes to analysing ASX shares.

    I like to understand the business inside and out. Identify if the company has any sustainable competitive advantages. Dig into the industry landscape, various growth drivers, and key risks.

    But another important consideration is the management team.

    And when it comes to assessing who’s steering the ship, one big tick in my book is skin in the game.

    When a management team holds a meaningful chunk of shares in the business they’re running, it helps to align their interests with shareholders. After all, their money is on the line as well.

    With this in mind, here are three ASX 200 shares boasting significant insider ownership.

    Reece Ltd (ASX: REH)

    First up, we have an ASX 200 share with a history that dates all the way back to 1920, when H.J. Reece started selling hardware supplies from the back of his truck. Later that year, he opened the very first Reece store in Caulfield, Victoria.

    In 1969, on the same day that humans first stepped on the moon, the Wilson family became majority shareholders in Reece. And from here, a beautiful partnership was formed.

    Fast forward half a century and Reece is a leading distributor of plumbing and HVAC-R products through more than 800 branches in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

    Three generations of the Wilson family have been involved in taking Reece to new heights. The company is currently led by Peter Wilson. Meanwhile, his father Alan, who held the CEO reins for 40 years, remains an executive director on the board.

    Over the years, there have been many family members involved in the business, several of whom hold shares through various investment vehicles. This makes it hard to pinpoint the exact number of shares held by the Wilson family, as various shareholding notices and disclosures often relate to the same shares.

    But from Reece’s 2022 annual report, we know that the Wilsons hold interests in at least 362 million Reece shares. This represents roughly 56% of the company and is worth a monstrous $5.4 billion at current prices. 

    Over the last 10 years, Reece shares have delivered share price gains of around 250%, not to mention consistent dividend income. 

    Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL)

    Next up, Netwealth is another ASX 200 share with strong family ties. 

    With a passion for finance and building businesses, Michael Heine launched the wealth management platform in 1999.

    Positioning itself as a superior, independent alternative to the incumbent platforms, such as those offered by AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) and BT, Netwealth has shaken up the industry.

    Today, it’s the fastest-growing platform provider by net funds flows in Australia. In the 12 months to June 2022, it accounted for 45% of industry net funds flows, raking in $13 billion. 

    It’s a family affair at Netwealth, with Michael and his son Matt sharing the reins as joint managing directors.

    Together, the pair hold combined interests in nearly 128 million Netwealth shares, representing roughly 52% of the business. With Netwealth shares last closing at $13.92, these holdings are currently worth a whopping $1.8 billion.

    Since listing on the ASX almost five years ago to the day, Netwealth shares have soared 160% whilst also paying out dividends along the way.

    Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

    Last but not least, ASX 200 jewellery retailer Lovisa also boasts strong insider ownership. 

    The company began in 2010 when former CEO Shane Fallscheer spotted a gap in the market for on-trend fashionable jewellery at ready-to-wear prices. 

    Prior to this, Fallscheer had been managing Diva, a tween jewellery chain owned by veteran retailer Brett Blundy. Diva was growing quickly but its narrow, young customer demographic meant there were question marks over the company’s long-term sustainability.

    So, Fallscheer came to Blundy with a proposal for Lovisa. And the rest is history.

    In the years that followed, Diva’s stores were either closed down or rebranded to Lovisa, which had discovered a sweet spot in the market.

    Today, Lovisa is truly a global force, with a network of 676 stores across 26 countries. Its store rollout and international expansion continue at pace, with the ASX 200 retailer on track to open its first stores in Italy, Mexico, and Hungary in the coming weeks.

    After leading the company for 12 years, Fallscheer stepped away from Lovisa in 2021 and has sold his shares. 

    But Blundy continues to chair the board and through his private investment company, BB Retail Capital, he retains a hefty 40% stake in Lovisa.

    This stake seems to be getting more valuable by the minute, with the Lovisa share price going from strength to strength. It’s been able to brush aside concerns of rising interest rates and inflation to shoot 58% higher over the last six months, lasting trading at $24.45.

    The post 3 ASX 200 shares with enormous insider ownership appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Motley Fool contributor Cathryn Goh has positions in Netwealth. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Lovisa Holdings Ltd and Netwealth. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Netwealth. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa Holdings Ltd. 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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  • Add these ASX 200 shares to your retirement portfolio: experts

    A happy couple looking at an iPad feeling great as they watch the Challenger share price rise

    A happy couple looking at an iPad feeling great as they watch the Challenger share price rise

    If you’re nearing (or currently in) retirement, it may be time to start focusing a little on capital preservation. This means investing in lower risk shares rather than fledgling growth shares.

    But which ASX 200 shares might be suitable? Listed below are a couple of shares that could be good options for a well-balanced retirement portfolio. Here’s what you need to know about them:

    Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF)

    The first ASX 200 share that could be worth considering for a retirement portfolio is Collins Foods.

    Collins Foods is one of the largest operators of KFC restaurants in Australia. In addition, it has a growing presence in Europe and a growing network of Taco Bell restaurants across Australia.

    The good news is that management still sees plenty of room to grow its network at home and abroad. This should be supportive of earnings and dividend growth in the coming years.

    Speaking of dividends, Collins Foods shares a decent portion of its profits with shareholders each year. Morgans is expecting this to continue in FY 2023 and is forecasting a fully franked 28 cents per share dividend. Based on the current Collins Foods share price of $10.10, this will mean an attractive dividend yield of 2.8%.

    Morgans currently has an add rating and $11.50 price target on its shares.

    Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW)

    Another ASX 200 share to consider for a retirement portfolio is Woolworths.

    It is of course the retail conglomerate behind the eponymous supermarket chain, Countdown supermarkets in New Zealand, and Big W.

    Woolworths could be a top option for retirees due to its strong market position, defensive qualities, and positive exposure to inflation.

    Goldman Sachs is a fan of the company. As well as the above, it likes Woolworths due to its digital and omni-channel advantage, which it expects to drive further market share and margin gains.

    Goldman currently has a conviction buy rating and $41.70 price target on the company’s shares. It is also forecasting fully franked dividend yields of 3%+ in the coming years.

    The post Add these ASX 200 shares to your retirement portfolio: experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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  • Could these be the best ASX growth shares to buy now for 2023?

    Three adorable children sit side by side at a table wearing upturned colanders on their heads fixed with shining light bulbs as they smile at the camera.Three adorable children sit side by side at a table wearing upturned colanders on their heads fixed with shining light bulbs as they smile at the camera.

    There is plenty of uncertainty that investors can focus on at the moment, including widespread inflation, higher interest rates, Ukraine, China and so on. But, amid all this economic pain, I believe ASX growth shares could be an effective way to invest for 2023 and the longer term.

    Companies that could grow revenue well over the long term may be able to grow their profit and also the share price, in time.

    I think the names on the ASX with the most compelling potential are those that are expecting to grow internationally. I’m also looking for ones that are keeping shareholders in mind – it’s not just growth for growth’s sake.

    Here are three of my favourite ideas.

    Airtasker Ltd (ASX: ART)

    With a market capitalisation of just $160 million, according to the ASX, I think Airtasker could be one of the most compelling ASX growth shares that could achieve global growth.

    For readers that haven’t heard of the business before, it operates a platform that connects people who need work done with those that want to do the work. There are dozens of categories available such as furniture assembly, removalists, photography, bookkeeping, food delivery and many more.

    I believe the future is bright for the company, particularly with the ongoing double-digit growth that it is achieving every quarter.

    In the first quarter of FY23, the Airtasker platform (excluding Oneflare – an acquired business) saw revenue growth of 36% to $8 million.

    Global growth continues – UK gross marketplace volume (GMV) grew 68% year over year, while US posted tasks jumped 4.7x year over year to 13,000.

    It has a gross profit margin of more than 90% and it’s close to breakeven on an earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) basis, so I think the business is financially well-positioned to invest strongly for longer-term growth.

    Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

    Lovisa is one of the most promising ASX retail shares, in my opinion. It sells affordable jewellery to younger shoppers.

    The Lovisa share price has been a strong performer in 2022 already, it’s up by more than 20%. But I think there could be plenty more in the coming years.

    It earns a high gross profit margin of close to 80%, and a typical store makes impressive profit considering how much it costs to set up. That’s why I think the global store rollout plan is very convincing.

    In a recent FY23 update, Lovisa said it had opened another 47 net stores in the financial year to date, taking its total to 676 stores. I believe this will be a natural boost to sales, and therefore profit, once the stores are up and running.

    Lovisa has opened in a number of new markets recently, including Canada, Poland, and Hong Kong. It’s quite possible the Hong Kong expansion is a prelude to expansion into China, which would be a huge market for the business to grow in.

    The ASX growth share is also planning to open in Italy, Mexico, and Hungary in the near term.

    With FY23 comparable store sales up 16.1% year over year and total sales up 60%, I think Lovisa is on track to achieve good profit growth in FY23 and beyond.

    Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)

    This ASX exchange-traded fund (ETF) gives investors a way to get investment exposure to 150 businesses that are listed around the world. The portfolio is a globally-focused one, with US companies being around 61% of the total weighting.

    But, there are a number of other places that represent more than 1.5% of the portfolio: Japan (13.7%), the Netherlands (4.2%), Switzerland (4%), France (3.3%), Denmark (3%), Hong Kong (2.5%), the UK (1.9%), and Sweden (1.7%).

    What I like about the holdings in this ETF’s portfolio is that they rank well on a number of ‘quality’ metrics, including return on equity, debt-to-capital, cash flow generation ability and earnings stability.

    In other words, they make good profit each year, generate attractive cash flow, have little debt and make high levels of profit for how much shareholder money is currently invested in the business.

    The portfolio’s weightings are largely similar, but the biggest positions are a little bigger than the smaller ones. Currently, its biggest positions include ASML, Applied Materials, Nvidia, Automatic Data Processing and Cisco Systems. I think the overall portfolio composition means this ETF can be classified as an ASX growth share because of how the underlying businesses are growing.

    With the ASX ETF down close to 20% this year, I think it’s a good time to get exposure to this portfolio of ‘quality’ companies.

    The post Could these be the best ASX growth shares to buy now for 2023? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 ASML Holding, Applied Materials, Cisco Systems, Lovisa Holdings Ltd, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Airtasker Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ASML Holding, Lovisa Holdings Ltd, 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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  • These are the ASX dividend shares to buy now: Goldman Sachs

    Woman holding $50 notes and smiling.

    Woman holding $50 notes and smiling.

    Looking for dividend shares to buy? Listed below are two ASX dividend shares that Goldman Sachs rates as buys.

    Here’s why the broker is bullish on these dividend shares:

    Adairs Ltd (ASX: ADH)

    The first ASX dividend share that Goldman Sachs is bullish on is Adairs. The broker has a buy rating and $2.65 price target on the furniture and homewares retailer’s shares.

    Goldman believes its shares have been unnecessarily oversold, creating a buying opportunity for income investors. Particularly given its belief that the company can achieve guidance this year. The broker explained:

    We view the re-affirmed guidance as a key positive for ADH, and we believe the market is pricing in EBIT that is 11-21% below the guidance range, and 12% below GSe. We view the core Adairs business as resilient in the current environment and do not believe the c.40% discount to discretionary retail peers is justified.

    In respect to dividends, Goldman is forecasting fully franked dividends per share of 17 cents in FY 2023 and 20 cents in FY 2024. Based on the latest Adairs share price of $2.20, this will mean yields of 7.7% and 9.1%, respectively.

    Mineral Resources Limited (ASX: MIN)

    Another ASX dividend share that Goldman Sachs is bullish on is this mining and mining services company. It has a buy rating and $94.00 price target on its shares.

    The broker is a fan of the company due to its lithium exposure, which it expects to support the tripling of its operating earnings and a big dividend increase in FY 2023.

    We forecast a more than tripling of group EBITDA to over A$3.8bn in FY23 (same at spot) driven by higher lithium volumes (LiOH & spod), tailwinds from M-3 lithium pricing lags, and an improvement in low grade iron ore price realisations.

    As for dividends, the broker has pencilled in fully franked dividends of 437 cents per share in FY 2023 and then 433 cents per share in FY 2024. Based on the latest Mineral Resources share price of $85.33, this will mean yields of 5.1% and 5%, respectively.

    The post These are the ASX dividend shares to buy now: Goldman Sachs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 positions in and has recommended ADAIRS FPO. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ADAIRS FPO. 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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