We all have a general idea of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares that are the most popular with ASX investors. BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)… the big 4 banks… CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)… you get the idea. But today, let's put some actual data to this question.
Broker Saxo Markets has just released its 10 most popular traded shares on its platform over August 2021. And it makes for some interesting reading.
So, here are the 10 shares that were the most popular and traded on Saxo Markets over August. They include both ASX and US shares, giving a pretty well-rounded view of what Aussie investors were finding interesting over the month just passed.
Saxo's 10 most popular shares for Aussie investors
10 – A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M)
Ah A2 Milk… It's no secret that this dairy company has had a year it would rather forget in 2021 so far. Not only did A2 spend most of the year downgrading its FY21 earnings guidance, but it also delivered a poorly-received FY21 earnings report last month. Saxo reckons it was how A2 "lost its sparkle" in 2021 that kept it on this list.
9 – Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS)
Pilbara has been one of the standout ASX 200 performers in 2021 so far. This lithium producer is up close to 150% year to date in 2021 so far. Saxo says that its "hugely promising" FY21 earnings report last month really got ASX investors going with this one. In particular, Pilbara's anticipation of a "further rise in shipments for FY22".
8 – Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P)
Buy now, pay later company Zip is next up at the number 8 position. Saxo tells us that "many of our retail clients have been drawn to the decline in the Zip Co share price, which has plunged by a third in the last six months".
It also points to how Zip was one of the most shorted ASX shares over August, as well as its FY21 results which Saxo calls " less than impressive compared with its long-time competitor [Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT)]".
7 – Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA)
And we have our first US share here, electric vehicle and battery manufacturer Tesla. Saxo reckons it is Tesla's potential move into the Indian market that have been exciting investors over August, saying "India is considered one of the world's fastest emerging car markets and if Tesla can partner with auto parts suppliers within the country, it could make huge inroads". Even though the Tesla share price remains infamously volatile, it is still up more than 33% over the past 6 months.
6 – Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)
Another ASX share for the number 6 spot, we have the Flying Kangaroo. ASX investors' affections for Qantas are well-known. The airline is the national carrier after all.
Saxo is confident that it was Qantas' FY21 earnings report from last month that really got investors in the mood for flying. It said that "investors were able to look beyond the headline figures and delve deeper into the balance sheet" with Qantas, noting how the company still has "impressive liquidity".
5 – Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE: BABA)
Alibaba is a Chinese company but is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. This e-commerce giant has been attracting headlines lately due to the sharp sell off we have seen over the past few months. Alibaba shares remain down more than 23% year to date, mostly due to concerns over the Chinese regulatory environment at the moment.
According to Saxo, these woes have "helped capture the imagination of bearish retail traders". It also points out that the company is trading at around "half the value of its historic peak" from October 2020. No wonder it was getting some love from ASX investors.
4 – Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL)
Everyone knows Apple. So it's probably no surprise that this tech giant also makes this list. Saxo highlights that Apple "is part of an exclusive club of stocks that simply garners interest from retail traders purely because of its name".
The broker points to its recent healthy earnings report as well as its continual share price growth over the past few month. These factors have culminated in a series of new all-time highs recently, generating enthusiastic support for Apple from Aussie investors.
3 – BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)
Finally, another ASX share. We already mentioned BHP as one of the ASX's most popular shares and now we have it in writing.
Saxo points to BHP's announcement last month that it would cease its dual listing on the London Stock Exchange and 'come home' for good as a major driver of client interest here. It also highlights BHP's recent earnings report which contained record dividend payments, as well as plans to divest its petroleum assets, as major catalysts here.
2 – Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN)
If you thought we weren't going to hit Amazon on this list, stand corrected. Yes, this e-commerce giant makes the number 2 spot today. Saxo says that "Amazon's Australian trading arm has been tipped to experience exponential growth in 2021" after laying down the groundwork in Australia for several years.
Saxo seems to argue that it's Amazon's growing presence down under that may be behind its enduring popularity with ASX investors. That's as well as its eye-watering growth numbers and profitability of course.
1 – Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG)
And last, but certainly not least, we have the giant ASX 200 iron ore miner Fortescue. Saxo said the following on its number one share for August:
The undisputed number-one stock our clients wished to trade in August 2021 was FMG – and it's not surprising when you consider it recently revealed its annual profits more than doubled. The outcome for FMG shareholders was a record-high dividend of AU$2.11, which represented a 17% yield underpinned by healthy iron ore prices.
Saxo also points to Fortescue's focus on 'green iron ore' and hydrogen power may also be attracting some investor attention. But given Fortescue's wild ride over 2021 so far, it's perhaps no surprise that this company took out the top spot for August over at Saxo.
