The Damstra Holdings Ltd (ASX: DTC) share price has burst out of the gate in today's session.

Shares in the tech company are flying higher following the announcement of an acquisition.

Let's take a look at why investors are bidding the Damstra share price higher today.  

Damstra share price flies on TIKS Solutions acquisition

Shares in Damstra are flying today after the company announced a key acquisition.

The tech company publicised that it has entered into a share sale agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in TIKS Solutions Pty Ltd (TIKS).

TIKS is an Australia-based workplace safety and compliance management company, with approximately 70 clients across a wide range of sectors.  

Damstra provided several highlights on the management company's performance in FY21.

TIKS was able to generate audited revenue of $4.14 million for the full-year and remained free cash positive.

As a result, the acquisition is not expected to negatively impact Damstra's FY22 operating cash flow.

According to the update, the acquisition will comprise $2.5 million in cash from Damstra's existing cash reserves.

In addition, Damstra will issue an equivalent of $12 million in its shares, with a further $3.5 million in cash to be paid 12 months after completion.

Damstra noted that the acquisition is in line with the company's strategy to pursue inorganic opportunities and consolidate existing markets.

Damstra's CEO, Christian Damstra, commented:

TIKS is an exciting natural fit for Damstra that will bring further scale to our business, enhancing our leadership position in workforce management in Australia and expanding our international footprint.

How did Damstra perform in FY21?

The Damstra share price has struggled since reporting its full-year results for FY21.

Highlights from the company's report included;

• Revenue up 40% on the prior corresponding period (pcp) to $27.4 million
• Annual recurring revenue (ARR) up 63% on pcp to $34.5 million
• Pro forma earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) down 3% to $6.6 million
• Cash receipts up 51% on pcp to $31.7 million
• 737,000 users, up 74% from 423,000 in FY20

For FY22, Damstra has renewed its aim to break even in free cash flow and realise cash synergies from its acquisition of Vault Intelligence Ltd (ASX: VLT) late last year.

Snapshot of the Damstra share price

Shares in Damstra have tanked more than 40% since the start of the year.

However, today's announcement has reignited interest in the company's share price.

At the time of writing the Damstra share price is trading more than 10% higher for the day at around 95 cents.

The post Damstra (ASX:DTC) share price soars 10% on acquisition news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and has recommended Damstra Holdings Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Damstra Holdings Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

The Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) share price has been on a rollercoaster ride recently.

Shares in the rare earths miner are trading within an extremely wide range of late.

Let's take a closer look at why the Lynas share price is so volatile.  

What's been happening with the Lynas share price?

Shares in Lynas have been all over the place in September. Since the start of the month, the company's share price has soared by as much as 17% to hit a high of $8.05 on 16 September.

Today, shares in Lynas are trading at $6.65, which is 3.4% lower for the month. Given the company did not release any price-sensitive news during September, this price action reflects just how volatile the Lynas share price is.

Why is the price so volatile?

Lynas is a producer of rare earths metals, which are an essential component of the functioning of our modern-day lives.

As a result, Lynas is essentially a resources company that relies on the production and sale of commodities.

Since commodities are dictated by their own spot prices, Lynas is therefore considered a 'price taker'. That means its share price is at the mercy of the ebb and flow of the individual spot prices of rare earths metals.

Recently, weakness in the Lynas share price has been driven by weakness in commodity prices.

Commodites have felt the pain following concerns over the Chinese economy. The neodymium price, in particular, has been a poor performer putting pressure on the Lynas share price.

More on the Lynas share price

Although shares in Lynas have suffered this month, they are 59% higher year to date.

Bullish sentiment towards the rare earths miner was reflected in the company's full-year results in late August. Lynas revealed a record result, highlighted by a 60% increase in revenue to $489 million.

Other highlights of the company's full-year report include:

• Net profit after tax (NPAT) of $157.1 million compared to a loss of $19.4 million the previous year
• Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) of $235.3 million, up from $59.7 million in FY20
• Cash and cash equivalents as at 30 June of $680.8 million compared to $101.7 million in the prior year

Over the past five years, Lynas shares have risen by 1,130%.

The post Why is the Lynas (ASX:LYC) share price so volatile? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram 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 Bruce Jackson.

Investors are bidding shares in the winemaker higher following an update from the company.

Let's take a look at why the Treasury Wine share price is rallying today.

Treasury Wine share price rallies following sustainability report

Shares in Treasury Wine are flying ahead today amid releasing its sustainability report for 2021.

The winemaker's report covered a wide range of strategies, goals and targets as part of its 2025 blueprint.

The topics covered by the company's report include the risks of climate change, inclusion, diversity and sustainable production.

Highlight's from Treasury's report included reaching 100% renewable energy by 2024 and achieving 'net zero' by 2030.

Other highlights from the company's report included;

• Comprehensive review of our water usage and footprint at a catchment level in F22
• 10% reduction in Serious Safety Incident Frequency Rate
• 50% women in senior leadership by 2025
• 100% of product packaging to be recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2022
• 100% of product packaging to comprise 50% average recycled content by 2025

In a push to reduce its overall energy usage, Treasury Wine has stepped up the installation of solar panels on many of its sites.

Treasury had flagged its intentions to shift to cleaner energy earlier this year in its annual report.

How did Treasury Wine perform in FY21?

Late last month, shares in Treasury Wine received a boost following a promising full year report for FY21.

Despite facing multiple headwinds, the winemaker was able to post a result that beat analyst expectations.

Highlight's from Treasury Wine's report included;

• Net sales revenue down 3% to $2,569.6 million
• Earnings before interest, tax, SGARA and material items (EBITS) down 0.4% to $510.3 million
• EBITS margin increased 0.6ppts to 19.9%
• Net profit after tax up 1.8% to $250 million
• Fully franked final dividend up 62.5% to 13 cents per share, bringing full year dividend to 28 cents per share

Treasury Wine also noted a fresh start for FY22, as the company transitions to a new operating model under three brand-led portfolio divisions

Snapshot of the Treasury Wine share price

The Treasury Wine share price has surged more than 28% since the start of the year.

Shares in the winemaker have also received a boost recently from positive broker coverage.

At the time of writing, the Treasury Wine share price is up more than 2.5%, trading at around $12.20.

The post Treasury Wine (ASX:TWE) share price lifts following sustainability update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram 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 owns shares of and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

The Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) share price has had a rough time recently and investors have it firmly on watch.

In early trade this morning, the Wesfarmers share price is in positive territory. It's up 0.96% to $55.84.

So, why are investors paying such close attention to the Wesfarmers share price?

Investors waiting for Wesfarmers to make next move on API

The Wesfarmers share price has been rocked by various events in this past week.

Most notably was the news of a rival bid for Australian Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (ASX: API).

Listed pharmaceutical company Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) entered the race with a bid for 100% of API shares at $1.57 per share.

Sigma's offer includes cash of 35 cents per share and 2.05 Sigma shares per API share.

By comparison, Wesfarmers recently sweetened its bid to acquire API, tabling an offer of $1.55 per share under a revised scheme arrangement.

As a result, a bidding war has emerged with both Sigma and Wesfarmers simultaneously undertaking due diligence.

The higher bid from Sigma has awakened speculation that Wesfarmers could lob a higher cash bid.

Interestingly, API's major shareholder Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL) could have a role to play.

Soul Patts has agreed to vote its 19.3% shareholding in API in favour of Wesfarmers' revised proposal. 

As a result, the conglomerate has the right to exercise a call option if it matches a bid by Sigma.

However, there remains uncertainty as to what form an equivalent offer could take.

More on the Wesfarmers share price

Up until recently, the Wesfarmers share price was having a stellar year.

However, in the past month shares in the conglomerate have fallen more than 16% from their record highs.

The main catalyst can be attributed to the conglomerate's full-year report.

Despite delivering solid growth in FY21, Wesfarmers flagged that earnings in the group's retail businesses for the first half of FY22 may be below the prior corresponding period.

As a result, investors may be questioning the outlook for shares in Wesfarmers.

The post Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) share price in focus as investors await next move appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram 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 owns shares of and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited and Wesfarmers Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

The Elixir Energy Ltd (ASX: EXR) share price is steady in afternoon trade after a 6% surge earlier today.

Shares in the gas explorer shot up to 26.5 cents apiece mid-morning but have slipped back amid general market malaise.

Let's take a look at what's happened with the Elixir share price today.

Hydrogen update propels Elixir share price higher

Shares in Elixir received a boost in morning trade after the company released a compelling presentation on its interest in hydrogen and the market potential.

The company highlighted various initiatives that its subsidiary in Mongolia, GOH Clean Energy LLC, has been pursuing.

According to the presentation, Elixir considers Mongolia as one of the best locations in the world to produce green hydrogen.

The factors that make the location attractive include its proximity to Chinese markets, low-cost delivery options and few competitors.

Elixir noted its current natural gas assets in Mongolia are highly complementary to pursuing more clean energy ventures.

In particular, Elixir highlighted the market opportunity in China.

The company noted the physical nature of hydrogen makes it expensive to ship long distances. As a result, hydrogen sources adjacent to large users like China present a massive competitive advantage.

More on Elixir Energy

The Elixir share price has made numerous headlines this past month.

Most recently, the company released an operations update relating to its Nomgon IX Coal Bed Methane site.

Elixir's management noted the company now has 3 new potentially productive sub-basins in its inventory.

Shares in Elixir have remain buoyed since the company announced it had extended the area of discovery in its Kingston sub-basin in late August.

Recently, the Elixir share price has also been boosted by the recent price rally in the oil markets.

Snapshot of the Elixir share price

The Elixir share price has had a volatile run in 2021.

Shares in the gas explorer shot to record highs in April and have been progressively sold down since.

Despite the sell-off, the Elixir share price remains more than 104% higher since the start of the year.

At the time of writing, shares in Elixir are flat for the day at 25 cents apiece after hitting 26.5 cents around 11 o'clock.

The post Elixir Energy (ASX:EXR) share price lifts on hydrogen update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram 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 Bruce Jackson.

The Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) share price is in the red on Wednesday, trading down 1.81% at the time of writing to $13.60 a share.

It seems shares in the toll company are facing multiple headwinds in today's trading session.

Let's take a look at why the Transurban share price is struggling.  

What's weighing down the Transurban share price?

Shares in Transurban are facing several challenges today.

Weakness in the broader market has painted the exchange red with the S&P/ASX200 Index (ASX: XJO) currently 1.52% lower for the day.

In addition to weakness in the overall market, shares in Transurban are also pricing in a more direct challenge.

The company's infrastructure services have been on the receiving end of a targeted campaign from transport workers.

According to a recent article in the Australian Financial Review, one of Australia's largest trucking companies, Toll Group, has urged drivers to avoid using toll roads.

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has also weighed in, advocating that trucking operators could not afford to keep paying rising toll fares.

In particular, the article highlighted new toll roads like Sydney's WestConnex where trucks typically pay three times the fares of cars.

As part of the action, the TWU has urged a review of current tolling regimes and more transparency on how toll fares are set.

More on Transurban

Shares in Transurban recently made headlines after the company launched a capital raising.

The infrastructure giant is looking to raise $4.2 billion to support its acquisition of the remaining 49% stake in the WestConnex from the NSW Government for $11.1 billion.

Transurban noted that WestConnex has close to 40 years concession life remaining.

As a result, additional highway extensions are expected to generate significant free cash and support distributions.

With the increased holding in WestConnex, Transurban's management expects to receive more than $600 million of potential capital releases until FY25.

The acquisition has resulted in mixed assessments from analysts and brokers.

Most recently, leading broker Citi issued a neutral rating on Transurban with a share price target of $13.78.

Analysts expect the company's acquisition of WestConnex could be dilutive in the near term.

Snapshot of the Transurban share price

The Transurban share price has been all over the place this year.

As a result, shares in the infrastructure giant are relatively flat since the start of the year.

At the time of writing, the Transurban share price is trading around 2% lower for the day.

The post Transurban (ASX:TCL) share price slides as truckies push back on tolls appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram 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 Bruce Jackson.

The Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) share price has not had a good time of it recently.

In the past 3 weeks, shares in the medical device company have tumbled more than 15%.  

Let's take a look at why investors have been dumping Polynovo shares.

What's weighing down the Polynovo share price?

The Polynovo share price has had a shocking year thus far.

The pain has continued for shareholders in the last 3 weeks as shares in the biotech continue their slide.

Despite the bearish price action, Polynovo has been scarce with price-sensitive news.

Most recently, the company made headlines after announcing the commencement of its Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) funded burn study in the United States.

Shares in Polynovo were given a brief reprieve as the company pursued FDA approval for its NovoSorb BTM product.

In addition, the resignation of the company's chief operating officer, Dr Anthony Kaye, has also weighed on its shares.

However, much of the bearish sentiment towards the Polynovo share price can be traced back to its full-year report.

How did Polynovo perform in FY21?

Shares in Polynovo tanked late last month, despite releasing fairly robust results for FY21.

The biotech's report was highlighted by a 32% increase in total revenue of $29.3 million.

Other highlights from Poynovo's full-year report included:

• Distributor sales grew by 53% over the year
• Gross margin increased by 3% from "manufacturing efficiency gains"
• Corporate and overhead expenses increased by 10% as the business expanded
• Net profit after tax of $260,000 when adding back in non-cash items
• Achieved breakeven in FY21

Polynovo flagged strong results in FY22 in all of its markets, including the United States, Europe, United Kingdom, Middle East, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

However, investors did not seem impressed with the report, inflicting more selling pressure on the Polynovo share price.

Snapshot of the Polynovo share price

The Polynovo share price jumped off a cliff to start the year.

Shares in the Aussie biotech fell hard and fast in the early months of 2021 following a dour first-half report.

As a result, Polynovo shares have more than halved since the start of the year.

At the time of writing, shares in the biotech have continued their fall, trading more tan 2% lower for the day.  

The post Why has the Polynovo (ASX:PNV) share price tanked 15% in 3 weeks? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of 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 Bruce Jackson.

The Bubs Australia Ltd (ASX: BUB) share price is set to finish today's session strongly in the green.

Investors have bid shares in the goat milk infant formula company 7% higher.

By comparison, the broader S&P/ASX200 Index (ASX: XJO) has sunk more than 1.4% today.

So what's been fuelling the Bubs share price?

What's pushing the Bubs share price today?

Bubs has not released any price-sensitive news that could explain today's bullish price action.

As a result, there are a few factors that could be pushing shares in the infant formula company higher.

Firstly, shares in fellow infant formula producer A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) have enjoyed a strong run recently.

As a result, sentiment towards the sector could be parlayed onto the Bubs share price.

Secondly, investors might have had a change in heart towards Bub's recent news of expanding into the US.

Earlier this month the company announced plans to expand into the lucrative North American market.

The company's formula products will be launched on both Walmart Inc's (NYSE: WMT) and Amazon.com, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AMZN) online stores.

Investors did not react to the news favourably, with the Bub share price sinking more than 9% on the day.

The company had flagged first shipment of products in its results presentation for FY21.  

How did Bub's perform in FY21?

Late last month, shares in Bubs took a tumble following a disappointing full-year report.

The infant formula company posted a huge loss for FY21, with a 24% decline in revenue of $46.8 million.

The dour result was driven by a 44% decline in Australian sales to $20.4 million and a 17.5% decline in China sales to $10.47 million.

Other highlights from the company's full-year report included;

• Underlying EBITDA loss of $28.5 million
• Statutory loss after tax of $74.7 million
• Cash balance of $27.9 million

Part of the company's loss for the full year was attributed to a $44.6 million non-cash impairment relating to the Nulac Foods cash generating unit.

Bubs noted that weaker sales, a $12.6 million inventory write down, and the sale of excess bulk powder attributed to a bloated operating loss.

Snapshot of the Bubs share price

Today has provided a brief reprieve for Bub's shareholders.

Shares in the infant formula company have not had a great year, trading more than 39% lower since the start of 2021.

At the time of writing, the Bubs share price is poised to close today's session more than 5% higher.

The company's shares were up more than 11% earlier, having hit an intra-day high of 38 cents.

The post Why is the Bubs (ASX:BUB) share price leaping 7% on Tuesday? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram owns shares of A2 Milk. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and has recommended Amazon. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long January 2022 $1,920 calls on Amazon and short January 2022 $1,940 calls on Amazon. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended A2 Milk, Amazon, and BUBS AUST FPO. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

The Archer Materials Ltd (ASX: AXE) share price has struggled to get into the green today.

Shares in the high-tech materials company have tumbled more than 5% in today's session.

Let's take a closer look at why the Archer Materials share price is struggling today.   

What's weighing down the Archer Materials share price?

Archer Materials has not released any price-sensitive news that could explain today's bearish price action.

As a result, it can be assumed that multiple factors are weighing down shares in the high-tech material company.

In addition to general weakness in the broader market, investors could also be locking in profits.

The Archer Materials share price has had a solid month thus far, spurred by its recent patent grant in the US.

The company hit a commercialisation milestone last week after securing a patent in the US for its CQ quantum computing chip.

According to Archer, the patent will provide the company with protection of the related intellectual property rights in the US.

Archer regards the US as a critical strategic jurisdiction to help protect and potentially commercialise its products.

Shares in Archer Materials rocketed more than 29% on the day of the announcement.

As a result, many investors could be looking to lock in their profits.

More on the Archer Materials share price

Archer Materials operates within the semiconductor industry and has a vast pipeline of devices that are in various developmental and commercialisation stages.

In addition to a strong month, the Archer share price has also had a stellar year thus far.

Shares in the high-tech material company have soared more than 232% since the start of 2021.

The company's share price surged to a record high of $3.08 last month, following another patent update.

However, the company's share price came under pressure following media speculations regarding its patent application in Australia.

The company rejected the accusations made against its CQ quantum computer chip patent.

At the time of writing, the Archer share price is down more than 4% for the day.

Shares in the tech company were down more than 5% earlier, after hitting an intra-day low of $1.78.

The post The Archer Materials (ASX:AXE) share price is down 5% on Tuesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram 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 Bruce Jackson.

The Eastern Iron Limited (ASX:EFE) share price won't be going anywhere today.  

Shares in the exploration company entered a trading halt earlier, whilst also releasing several other updates.

Let's take a closer look at what's happening with the Eastern Iron share price.  

Why is the Eastern Iron share price halted?

Earlier today Eastern Iron requested that its shares be placed in an immediate trading halt.

The exploration company noted that securities will remain in a halt until the release of an announcement regarding an updated mining study for its Nowa Nowa iron project.

Easter Iron noted that the trading halt was requested so that the company can manage its continuous disclosure obligations.

According to the company, the trading halt will last until Thursday 30 September 2021 or when the announcement is released to the market.

What else did Easter Iron announce?

In addition to its trading halt, Easter Iron also announced changes to its Board.

The company has appointed Mr Jason Hou to the Board following the resignation of Mrs Therese-Marie Taylor.

Eastern Iron noted that Mr Hou has a professional background in finance and is well known to the company through his financial consulting services.

More on the Eastern Iron share price

Eastern Iron is an iron ore exploration company with its flagship Nowa Nowa Iron project located in Victoria.

Shares in Eastern Iron have had a stellar year thus far.

Since the start of 2021, shares in the company have stormed more than 344% higher.

Much of the company's share price gain has been realised this past month.

There have been several catalysts that have helped propel the Eastern Iron share price higher.

Shares in the company took off in early September after announcing a joint venture with Ya Hua International Investment and Development Co Ltd to acquire and develop lithium projects.

The Eastern Iron share price received another boost following a strategic placement and equity raising earlier this month.

The placement of $1.05 million was made to Ya Hua, making the company a substantial shareholder of Eastern Iron.

An additional tranche of $2.52 million will be placed to sophisticated and institutional investors.

Before entering a trading halt, the Eastern Iron share price closed yesterday's session at 4.3 cents.

The post Why is the Eastern Iron (ASX:EFE) share price halted? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram 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 Bruce Jackson.

Since the start of September, shares in the airliner have soared more than 10%.

Let's take a look at why the Air New Zealand share price has taken off this month.

Travel sentiment propels Air New Zeeland share price higher

A general shift in sentiment towards future travel has helped push the Air New Zealand share price higher this month.

Fellow airliner,  Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) led the pack in predicting the restart of international travel. 

Shares in Air New Zealand were recently buoyed after providing an update on the impact of domestic lockdowns.

The airliner noted that the New Zealand national lockdown and the ongoing suspension of trans-Tasman Quarantine Free Travel (QFT) had impacted its short term financial performance.

According to Air New Zealand, the monthly impact of a nationwide lockdown is approximately NZ$45 million to NZ$55 million.

In addition, the Monthly impact of the suspension of New Zealand to Australia travel is approximately NZ$20 to NZ$25 million.

The airliner noted that the operation of cargo flights is continuing with approximately 50 flights per week.

As a result of the reduced operating cash flow, Air New Zealand also noted that it has begun to draw down on its standby loan facility with remaining funds of NZ$1.065 billion.

How did Air New Zealand perform in FY21?

Shares in Air New Zealand fumbled late last month after the airliner reported a dour result for FY21.

With ongoing border restrictions hampering travel, the company reported a 55% drop in international revenues.

This thematic reflects in the airliners overall performance, with operating revenue down 48% to $2.5 billion for the full year.

Other highlights from Air New Zealand's report included;

• Net loss after tax of $411 million, a decrease of 34.6% from FY20's $628 million loss
• Operating cash flow up 40.4% to $323 million
• No interim dividend.

Given the uncertainty of ongoing travel restrictions, Air New Zealand deferred providing an earnings guidance for 2022.

Snapshot of the Air New Zealand share price

Despite a strong recovery this past month, the Air New Zealand share price has struggled to stay in the green this year.

Shares in the airliner are still more than 5% lower since the start of 2021.

At the time of writing, the Air New Zeeland share price has looked to continue its recovery, trading slightly higher at $1.605.

The post Here's why the Air New Zealand (ASX:AIZ) share price is up 10% in September appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram 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 Bruce Jackson.

Investors will be keeping a keen eye on the Australian Clinical Labs Ltd (ASX: ACL) share price today.

The extra attention comes after the company released a promising announcement earlier this morning.

Let's take a look at why the Australian Clinical Labs share price is under focus.

Profit upgrade powers Australian Clinical Labs share price

Shares in Australian Clinical Labs are poised to fly today after announcing a profit upgrade.

Earlier today, the healthcare company announced an upgrade to its expectations for the first half of  FY22.

Based on trading to date in FY22, Australian Clinical Labs upgraded its total revenue and net profit after tax (NPAT) forecasts.

For the first half of FY22, the company now expects to deliver;

• Total revenue of between $398.1 million and $414.0 million, representing between 29.5% and 34.7% upgrade to prospectus forecast of $307.4 million.
• NPAT of between $63.7 and $70.0 million, representing between 177.9% and 205.6% upgrade to prospectus forecast of $22.9 million.

Australian Clinical Labs noted that the continued strong demand for COVID-19 testing and the resilience of the rest of its business fuelled the upgrade.

The company noted that the new forecasts for the first half reflect continued expansion in its margins.

In addition, Australian Clinical Labs acknowledged that a reduction in COVID-19 testing in October was also assumed in the new forecasts.

More on Australian Clinical Labs

Australian Clinical Labs initially outlined its forecasts earlier this year in its full-year report for FY21.

The company's report was headlined by a 4.2% increase in revenue of $674 million.

Other highlights from Australian Clinical Labs for FY21 included;

• Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) came in 11% ahead of forecasts at $270 million and grew 98.4% year on year.
• Net profit after tax (NPAT) of $88.7 million which was 19.2% in front of the prospectus forecast, and 6% ahead of (previously) upgraded guidance. This is also a 659% year on year increase.
• Decreased net debt from $93.3 million to $64.1 million
• Cash EBITDA to operating cash flow conversion of 101.4%, with "pro forma cash flow" of $97.2 million.

Australian Clinical Labs advised that its FY21 non-COVID revenue growth was 6.3% higher than the year prior.

In addition, the company noted that non-COVID sales growth had begun to normalise.

Snapshot of the Australian Clinical Labs share price

Australian Clinical Labs completed its initial public offering (IPO) on the ASX on 14 May 2021.

Since listing, shares in the company have soared more than 36%.

At the time of writing, the Australian Clinical Labs share price is poised to open more the 4% higher after closing yesterday's session at $4.69.

The post Australian Clinical Labs (ASX:ACL) share price on watch following profit upgrade appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram 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 recommended Australian Clinical Labs Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

The A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) share price has been on fire this past week.

In the last 7 days, shares in the infant formula company have surged more than 9% and are currently trading at $5.87, up 2.62%.

Let's take a look at what's been fuelling the A2 Milk share price lately.  

Positive broker note

Unlike many other companies, the A2 Milk share price has bucked broader market volatility over the past week.

This euphoric price action can possibly be attributed to a recent note from leading broker Bell Potter.

According to the note, analysts see a lot of value in the embattled infant formula company. The broker retained its buy rating on A2 Milk with a revised share price target of $7.70.

Analysts said the market had underestimated the impact that inventory swaps and sales pullbacks had on A2 Milk. As a result, the broker expects top-line company growth to resume.

Looking ahead at FY22, the analysts predicted that A2 Milk would deliver a 10.3% increase in sales to NZ$1,332 million and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of NZ$212.8 million.

In FY23, they expect the company to deliver another 10.5% lift in sales to NZ$1,472 million and a 21.3% increase in EBITDA to NZ$258.2 million.

Despite the promising outlook, Bell Potter analysts noted that near-term trading would remain tough for A2 Milk.

How did A2 Milk perform in FY21?

Late last month, the A2 Milk share price continued its decline following a dour FY21 result.

For the full year, the company reported a 30% drop in revenue to NZ$1.21 billion.

In addition, the former market darling noted a 77.6% reduction in EBITDA to NZ$123 million.

Other key points from A2 Milk's report included;

• Stock write-downs of NZ$109 million
• Net profit after tax down 79.1% to NZ$80.7 million
• Cash balance of NZ$875.2 million.

A2 Milk advised investors that the company would review its growth strategy, given the rapid changes to its market.

A2 Milk share price snapshot

Despite rallying in the past week, shares in A2 Milk remain more than 48% lower since the start of 2021.

The A2 Milk share price is also down 65.7% in the 12 months since this time last year.

The post Here's why the A2 Milk (ASX:A2M) share price is up 9% in a week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram owns shares of A2 Milk. 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 A2 Milk. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

The Fleetwood Corporation Limited (ASX: FWD) share price has started the day strongly in the green.

Shares in the building solutions company are bidding higher on the back of an announcement earlier today.

Let's take a look at why investors are pushing the Fleetwood share price higher.

Fleetwood share price soars on contract news

Shares in Fleetwood have been boosted following a major announcement earlier today.

The company revealed it has secured a major contract for the new 1000-bed quarantine facility, the Centre for National Resilience, in Melbourne.

According to the release, Fleetwood will utilise its manufacturing facilities to deliver 500 beds by the end of 2021.

The company highlighted that the contract is expected to result in revenue of approximately $32 million for FY22.

The Centre for National Resilience is a purpose-built quarantine facility, built and owned by the federal government.

The facility will be operated by the Victorian government for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fleetwood's Chief Executive Officer Bruce Nicholson noted:

This is an outstanding outcome for the company and highlights the strengths of using innovative offsite manufacturing to deliver highly effective and efficient products with strong sustainability credentials.

More on Fleetwood

Fleetwood is a leader in the modular construction industry and is a key supplier to the education, health, custodial, mining and affordable housing sectors.

Shares in the construction company took a blow recently after the company provided an operations update.

Fleetwood noted a slow and cautious recovery in the building industry following COVID-19 lockdowns in New South Wales and Victoria.

As a result of the current uncertainty, the company noted that clients have been very conservative and slow in their decision making.

In addition, Fleetwood noted that ongoing border closures and uncertainty around domestic travel have impacted its recreational vehicles (RV) business.

The company noted that foot traffic has also declined across its retail channels, while online and click and collect channels also showed signs of slowing.

Fleetwood had recently addressed the direct impact that various COVID-19 restrictions were having on its operations in its full-year report.

Snapshot of the ANZ share price

Shares in Fleetwood have soared more than 12% since the start of 2021.

However, the company's share price is still well off its 52-week highs from earlier this year.

At the time of writing, shares in Fleetwood are trading more than 2.64% higher for the day at $2.33.

The post Fleetwood (ASX:FWD) share price jumps on secured contract success appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram 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 Bruce Jackson.

The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX: ANZ) share price has had a tough time of it this month.

Shares in the banking giant have slipped more than 2% since the start of September.  

Let's take a look at why investors have been bidding the ANZ share price lower this month.

Why is the ANZ share price struggling?

Shares in ANZ have struggled to catch a bid this month.

However, the banking giant hasn't released any price-sensitive news since the start of September.

As a result, there are many undercurrents that could be putting pressure on the ANZ share price.

Firstly, general weakness in the broader market domestically and abroad could explain why shares in the banking giant have struggled.

Since the start of the month, the broader S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has also slid around 2%.

A bearish note from leading broker Citi has also clouded sentiment towards the ANZ share price.

According to analysts, recent APRA data indicates a sharp contraction in ANZ's mortgage book.

In addition, some experts have also flagged a more bearish outlook for the banking sector overall.

According to the commentary, moderation in volume and housing growth could slow near-term growth prospects for the big banks.

Outlook for the ANZ share price

Despite shares in ANZ struggling this past month, all is not doom and gloom.

Contrary to the bearish sentiment, some analysts are more optimistic about the outlook for the ANZ share price.

Most recently, a note from renowned broker Morgans highlighted ANZ as its favourite big four bank.

Analysts cited ANZ's focus on absolute cost reduction has painted a compelling valuation on the bank.

Morgans forecasts ANZ to pay fully-franked dividends per share of $1.45 in FY 2021 and then $1.65 in FY 2022. 

Snapshot of the ANZ share price

Despite struggling this past month, shares in ANZ remain more than 19.5% higher for the year. 

In its recent business update for the third quarter, the banking giant noted that its CET1 ratio came in at 12.2%, a slight reduction from the 12.4% recorded in the previous period. 

With its strong capital position and cost reductions, ANZ announced its intention to buy back up to $1.5 billion of shares on market as part of its capital management plan.

The ANZ share price closed Friday's trading session at $27.41.

The post September hasn't been a great month so far for the ANZ (ASX:ANZ) share price appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram 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 Bruce Jackson.

The Raiz Invest Ltd (ASX: RZI) share price has had a stellar year so far.

But, according to one leading broker, shares in the micro-investing platform could go even higher.

Let's have a look at the fintech company and what's happening with its share price.

Broker paints positive outlook on Raiz share price

Shares in Raiz could receive a boost after a bullish note from renowned broker Taylor Collison.

Analysts slapped a 'speculative buy' rating on the company, highlighting the large market opportunity in the micro-investing landscape.

According to the broker, Raiz remains well-positioned to capitalise on the market opportunity, citing its positive cash flow and solid balance sheet.

The note highlighted several other factors that could propel the fintech's growth.

In particular, analysts noted the company's continued increase in active users and funds under management.

Raiz also has an expanding pipeline of growth products and innovations such as its superannuation and ESG offerings.

The company's expansion into Southeast Asia was also lauded as an ideal hunting ground given the region's high mobile phone usage, large aspirational populations and small-scale investors.

Analysts also waived the company's recent boardroom conflict as an unwelcome distraction, citing no effect on Raiz's business performance.

The note pointed to Raiz's recent full-year report as an indicator of its growth potential.

How did Raiz perform in FY21?

The Raiz share price received a huge boost after releasing its full-year report for FY21.

The fintech reported impressive growth to 30 June 2021, highlighting a strong balance sheet with cash on hand of $19.4 million.

Other highlights from Raiz's full-year report included;

• 37% year on year (YOY) increase in group revenue of $13.4 million
• global active customers up 87% YOY to 456,927
• Australian funds under management (FUM) up 76% YOY to $799.6 million
• superannuation FUM up 53% YOY to $106.6 million
• micro investing platform segment revenue up 40% YOY to $11.4 million
• revenue per customer (run rate) in Australia up 32% YOY

Throughout the financial year, Raiz noted implementing a number of features to increase customer engagement.

Snapshot of the Raiz share price

Raiz is an Australian financial technology (fintech) company that provides users with a mobile-focused micro-investing platform.

The company has a tiered revenue model consisting of maintenance fees, account fees, netting and advertising fees.

Since the start of the year, shares in Raiz have bolted more than 90%.

The Raiz share price closed Friday's session at $1.80.

The post Why this broker sees more upside in the Raiz (ASX:RZI) share price appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram 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 Bruce Jackson.

The Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) share price has had a stellar year thus far.  

Since the start of the year, shares in the conglomerate have soared more than 12%.  

Let's have a look at what the future might hold for the Wesfarmers share price.  

What's been happening with the Wesfarmers share price?

With a large proportion of the Australian population being under some form of COVID-19 induced lockdown, the shares in Wesfarmers have surely benefited.

After soaring to 52-week highs, shares in the conglomerate gave back a large chunk of its gains.

The main catalyst can be attributed to the company's full year report.

Despite delivering solid growth in FY21, Wesfarmers flagged that earnings in the group's retail businesses for the first half of FY22 may be below the prior corresponding period.

As a result, investors may be questioning the outlook for shares in Wesfarmers.

Outlook on the Wesfarmers share price

A recent article published by my Foolish colleague has addressed what the future may look like for investors in Wesfarmers.

The article focused on two prominent fund managers and their take on the conglomerates future.

The panellists noted that Wesfarmers remains well capitalised and cited the dominant position that Bunnings holds in the sector.

The fund managers were also impressed by the company's strong balance sheet, capital allocation and durability.

According to the panellists, these strengths have been reflected in the Wesfarmers share price over the last 5 years.

In a separate piece, another colleague of mine has also elaborated on why shares in the conglomerate could be a long-term buy.

More on the Wesfarmers share price

Wesfarmers recently made headlines after making a 'sweetened' bid to acquire Australian Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (ASX: API).

The conglomerate has offered to buy 100% of API's outstanding shares at $1.55 per share under a revised scheme arrangement.

Wesfarmers made its intentions about expanding into the beauty and pharmaceutical sector clear earlier this year.

The conglomerate lodged a $687 million takeover bid for API in July, which was rejected by the pharmaceutical company.

Up until recently, the Wesfarmers share price was having a stellar year. However, in the past month shares in the conglomerate have fallen more than 14% from their record highs.

The Wesfarmers share price finished yesterday's session trading at $57.36.

The post What is the outlook for the Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) share price appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram 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 owns shares of and has recommended Wesfarmers Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

The Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) share price has had a stellar month thus far.

Since the start of September, shares in the banking giant have soared more than 6.8% higher.

By comparison, the S&P/ASX200 Index (ASX: XJO) has sunk 2% since the start of the month.

It's not every day that you see a major bank like Macquarie outperform the broader market.

So, what's been powering the Macquarie share price in September?  

What's been happening with the Macquarie share price?

Despite being strongly in the green for September, the Macquarie share price has not had a smooth ride in September.

Shares in the bank bolted to record highs at the start of the month, hitting a high of $182.66.

The catalyst that spurred investors was Macquarie's update on its short-term outlook.

Presenting at the Jeffries Asia Forum, the investment bank anticipates weaker earnings in the first half of FY22.

The bank also anticipates base fees to be in line with last year. However, Macquarie expects other operating income to come in weaker for the first half.

In addition, the bank also acknowledged that competition amongst its peers will continue to drive margin pressure.

Macquarie also cited its commodities income to be lower for the first half following a strong FY21.

Although the bank painted a dour short term outlook, its shares rose as much as 7% on the day.

However, the Macquarie share price fell out of favour among some analysts.

Leading broker Goldman Sachs retained their neutral rating and lifted its price target on Macquarie's shares to $170.62

 Analysts noted that Macquarie's share price may have peaked for the time being.

More on the Macquarie share price

Shares in Macquarie have been buoyed recently after emerging as a contender for VicRoads' registration, licensing, and custom plates services.

Earlier this year, the Victorian government announced plans to turn VicRoads into a joint venture model.

According to an article by my Foolish colleague, Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets is favourite to win the bid.

Apart from the bid, brokers remain mixed on the outlook for the Macquarie share price.

Since the start of the year, shares in the bank have soared more than 27.5% for the year.

At the time of writing, the Macquarie share price is slightly higher for the day at around $177.29.

The post September has been a great month for the Macquarie (ASX:MQG) share price appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram 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 owns shares of and has recommended Macquarie Group Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

The Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) share price has had a stellar run recently.

In the last 3 months, shares in the health insurer have rallied nearly 12%.

Let's take a look at what's been fuelling the Medibank share price.

Why is the Medibank share price booming?

There have been several catalysts that have helped propel the Medibank share price higher since June.

Working back, the initial push came from the health insurer's premium relief payments policy.

On 29 June, the company announced that it will return approximately $105 million to customers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through premium relief payments.

Medibank noted that the premium relief program would cover approximately 2 million accounts.

Positive outlook notes from various brokers and funds also help improve sentiment towards the health insurer.

The Medibank share price received an additional boost in late August after releasing its full-year report.

How did Medibank perform in FY21?

Medibank released a promising full-year report for FY21, fuelled by consumers prioritising their health and wellbeing.

The company's report was headlined by a 40% increase in net profit after tax (NPAT) of $441 million.

Other highlights from Medibank's full-year report included:

• Revenue increase of 1.99% on the prior corresponding period (pcp) to $6.9 billion
• 4,900% increase in net investment income of $120 million
• Earnings per share (EPS) of 16 cents – up 39.8% on the pcp
• A full-year dividend payout of 12.7 cents per share

Medibank is forecasting a 2.4% growth in underlying average net claims in FY22.

The company also has a $15 million target for productivity savings and is targeting a heavier focus on inorganic growth for FY22.

Snapshot of the Medibank share price

In addition to a solid past 3 months, shares in Medibank have also had a stellar year thus far.

Since the start of 2021, shares in the health insurer have soared more than 17% higher.

By comparison, the broader S&P/ASX200 Index (ASX: XJO) has only managed to climb 11% higher for the year.

The Medibank share price closed yesterday's session slightly higher at $3.55.

The post Here's why the Medibank (ASX:MPL) share price is up 12% in the last 3 months appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram 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 Bruce Jackson.

September has not been kind to the EML Payments Ltd (ASX: EML) share price.

Since the start of the month, shares in the payments company have tumbled more than 5%.

In comparison, the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) has clawed 1.3% higher for the month.

Let's take a look at why investors have been bidding the EML share price lower this month.  

What's been weighing down the EML share price?

Despite a strong start to the month, shares in EML have struggled to stay in the green.

Interestingly, the payments company has not released any major or price-sensitive news since the start of September.

As a result, there are various catalysts that could explain the recent weakness in EML's share price.

In addition to broader volatility in domestic and international markets, the company has also had to battle uncertainty surrounding its Irish regulation issues.

The EML share price was rocked earlier this year after the Central Bank of Ireland voiced concerns over the company's anti-money laundering financing compliance.

Additionally, investors could be re-rating shares in the payments company following its full-year results.  

How did EML perform in FY21?

For FY21, EML reported a record year with growth across a majority of its financial metrics.

Highlights from the company's full-year report included;

• Group gross debit volume (GDV) up 42% to $19.7 billion.
• Record revenue of $194.2 million, an increase of 60% on FY20.
• Record underlying group earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) of $53.5 million, up 65%.
• Gross profit margins of 67%, down from 73% in FY20 due to a shift in business segments.
• New business GDV pipeline of $10.5 billion, with more than 300 prospects.
• Costs and provisions totalling $11.4 million in FY21 in relation to the Central Bank of Ireland regulatory investigation.

For FY22, EML is expecting to generate underlying EBITDA in a range of between $58 million to $65 million.

In response, the EML share price tanked more than 5% after releasing its report.

Snapshot of the EML share price

Despite a promising start to the year, the EML share price was shaken by regulation issues in Ireland.

Shares in EML have struggled to recover from the events and remain more than 5.5% lower for 2021.

The EML share price gained some of its losses back yesterday, closing higher at $3.96.

The post September hasn't been a great month so far for the EML (ASX:EML) share price appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and has recommended EML Payments. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended EML Payments. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.