But while most ASX All Ords shares have paid out their biannual dividends, we still have some stragglers to report on. Next week, we'll see no fewer than four All Ords stocks scheduled to trade ex-dividend.

Ex-dividend?

When a company trades ex-dividend, it draws a line in the sand over which investors are eligible for an upcoming dividend payment, as well as any associated franking credits.

If investors own a company's shares at the close of trading one day before the ex-dividend date, they will be eligible for the particular payout. But bad luck for any investor who buys that company's shares on or after the ex-dividend date.

As such, it's important for investors to keep abreast of the ex-dividend dates of any ASX All Ords share they wish to receive a paycheque from.

So, with all that in mind, here's the list of the ASX All Ords shares that will experience this very phenomenon next week:

4 ASX All Ords shares trading ex-dividend next week

 *Dividend yield as of Thursday's close

But that's not all, folks. There are a slew of popular ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) from provider BlackRock that are also scheduled to go ex-dividend (or ex-distribution in this case) next week on 9 April.

These include the iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ), the iShares Treasury ETF (ASX: IGB) and the iShares Core Cash ETF (ASX: BILL), among others.

Whilst not technically ASX All Ords shares, these ETFs will still all pay out their respective distributions.

So keep your eyes on any or all of these investments next week if you own any of them, or perhaps if you are just looking for a share price dip before your next buy.

The post 4 ASX All Ords shares with ex-dividend dates next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Three top ASX shares that leading brokers have named as buys this week are listed below. Here's why they are bullish on them:

Abacus Group (ASX: ABG)

According to a note out of Citi, its analysts have retained their buy rating and $1.45 price target on this property company's shares. The broker was pleased to see Abacus reaffirm its distribution guidance at its annual general meeting. So, with the company's shares trading at an estimated dividend yield of 7.9% and a 49% discount to its latest disclosed NTA per share, the broker feels now is the time to buy. The Abacus share price is trading at $1.04 today.

Cosol Ltd (ASX: COS)

A note out of Bell Potter reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this asset management solutions company's shares with a $1.08 price target. While Cosol's first-half guidance was below the broker's expectations, it remains positive. It likes the company due to its growing recurring revenue and track record of successful acquisitions. The Cosol share price is fetching 84 cents on Monday.

Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC)

Analysts at Goldman Sachs have retained their buy rating on this media company's shares with a reduced price target of $2.30. While margin headwinds persist, Goldman highlights that Nine is leading Metro TV and BVOD ratings in key demographics in 2023. It also notes that strong content performance for Stan is driving solid sub growth and higher average revenue per user (ARPU). This is good news given price rises in FY 2024. The Nine share price is trading at $1.93 today.

The post Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Two such small-cap ASX shares that brokers are very positive on and rate as buys are listed below. Here's what you need to know about them:

Cosol Ltd (ASX: COS)

COSOL could be a small-cap ASX share to buy according to analysts at Bell Potter.

It specialises in digital IT solutions, with a focus on enterprise asset management software platforms and data management. Its solutions optimise operations in asset-intensive industries, including natural resources, energy and water utilities, defence and public infrastructure.

Bell Potter believes there's a lot to like about COSOL. It explains:

The information presented highlights the compelling value proposition of COSOL in the Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) Industry, with strong financial growth, a diverse client base, strategic partnerships, and actively supports its clients' sustainability goals , COSOL demonstrates its ability to deliver innovative solutions and drive industry-wide transformation. The company's ownership alignment, international expansion, and scalable business model positions it well as a leader in the market. As the EAM software market continues to grow, COSOL's suite of digital technology solutions and forward-thinking approach position it well for future success.

The broker initiated coverage on COSOL earlier this week with a buy rating and a $1 price target. This is 43% higher than where its shares currently trade.

Strandline Resources Ltd (ASX: STA)

Morgans is a fan of this small-cap ASX mining share. The broker feels it offers investors a rare investment proposition that shouldn't be missed. Its analysts explain:

STA is a heavy mineral sands explorer and developer, with projects in Australia and Tanzania. We continue to note that STA is a rare investment proposition. It enjoys: 1) 100% ownership of a world-scale/ strategic asset in a tier 1 jurisdiction; 2) lenient debt terms; 3) visibility on upcoming cashflow/ de-risking; 4) proven, backable management; 5) a reputable board; and 6) clear M&A appeal while trading at a material discount.

Morgans has a 70 cents price target on the company's shares. This is more than double where its shares currently trade.

The post Brokers tip huge returns for these exciting small cap ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This ASX tech share is going ex-dividend today

The ex-dividend date is the last day that investors can purchase a company's shares and still receive the next dividend payment. Normally, the ex-dividend date is one or two days before the record date, which is when shareholders must be on the register to receive the payment.

COSOL is an ASX tech share that specialises in enterprise asset management software. The company is an Aussie small cap with a market capitalisation of just under $100 million.

The COSOL share price has dropped 1.5% at the time of writing to $0.65 per share. That represents a drop of 1 cent per share since yesterday's close.

COSOL announced a 1 cent per share fully franked dividend in its full-year results release in August. That came on the back of a strong earnings year highlighted by a 51% revenue growth and net profit up 39% year on year to $3.99 million.

The ASX tech share has struggled throughout 2021 even as company performance has strengthened. Shares in the Aussie tech group are down 16.7% year to date at the time of writing and trading at a 3.08% dividend yield.

It's no coincidence, however, that the company's shares have dropped by the same amount as its soon-to-be paid dividend. That's how things tend to happen on the ex-dividend date to remove any arbitrage opportunities.

Foolish takeaway

The COSOL share price is falling lower this morning as the ASX tech share trades ex-dividend ahead of its 1 cent per share distribution.

The post This ASX tech share is going ex-dividend today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

At the time of writing, the COSOL share price is up 5.7%, trading at 74 cents.

Let's take a look at what the Brisbane-based digital business solutions provider announced in its release today.

About the project extension

The Department of Defence ERP software upgrade is a well-publicised program anticipated to be a $1 billion project that could take up to eight years to complete. Back in July 2019, IBM claimed a $95.5 million one-year contract that covered the initial design work for the SAP-based ERP upgrade. 

On Tuesday, IBM subcontracted COSOL to provide its proprietary IP and professional data migration services for the Department of Defence program. 

COSAL valued the current project work at $8.5 million of revenue and expects to complete the work between April 2021 and December 2022. The project will positively contribute to the company's FY21 earnings.

Management commentary 

COSOL Australia CEO Scott McGowan believes the contract reflects the longstanding relationship with IBM and the company's proven expertise to deliver solutions to the defence sector. 

COSOL is thrilled to be partnering with IBM and the Department of Defence. The fact that COSOL has been contracted for end to end data migration responsibility demonstrates the confidence that IBM and the Department have in COSOL to deliver this complex project.

We also want to acknowledge and thank IBM for their commitment to the Australian SME community. The award of this new work is the latest win from COSOL's strategic pipeline of SAP data migration opportunities based on the strength of COSOL's digital transformation expertise and capabilities.

COSOL share price snapshot 

COSOL was one of last year's best performing initial public offerings (IPOs), surging from a listing price of 20 cents in January 2020 to a high of 93 cents by August 2020. Its shares have taken a breather and are currently trading around the 70 cent level, which represents a market capitalisation just shy of $100 million.

Despite its size, the company does make a profit, with its half-year results highlighting a 36% increase in net profit to $1.8 million and 45.4% increase in revenue to $15.65 million. The company believes its 2H21 revenue is expected to be 23-25% above 1H21. 

The post Why the COSOL (ASX:COS) share price is running 6% higher appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Let's take a look at how the IT services provider performed for the first half of 2021.

What drove the Cosol share price higher?

The Cosol share price pushed higher today after the company surprised investors with a robust performance that exceeded its AGM guidance update.

According to its release, Cosol delivered growth across its key business metrics despite facing headwinds resulting from COVID-19.

The company advised that for the six months ending 31 December 2020, revenue increased to $15.6 million. This reflected a 45% jump on the prior corresponding period. The company expanded its IP and digital solutions business which led to major client wins. In addition, the acquisition of AddOns Inc in October created a platform for deployment into North America.

Statutory earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) also rose to $2.56 million, without the assistance of JobKeeper. The result represented a gain of 32% over the comparable H1 FY20 term. Furthermore, the EBIT margin rose to 16% which was in line with previous forecasts.

Net profit after tax (NPAT) came to $1.85 million, a lift of 35% on the same time last year.

Cosol closed the calendar year with a cash balance of $9.36 million, and $964,000 in net debt.

In further news boosting the Cosol share price, the board decided to declare a fully franked interim dividend of 0.5 cents per share. This will be paid to eligible shareholders on 15 April 2021.

Management commentary

Cosol non-executive chair Geoff Lewis commented on the company's performance. He said:

Despite the headwinds created by the COVID 19 pandemic, COSOL has had a strong six months of operations which has enabled us to exceed guidance and pleasingly, after only 12 months of operations, pay a fully franked interim dividend of 0.5 cents per share.

The COSOL Executive team are focused on finishing the full year strongly and have created a platform with the acquisition of AddOns Inc to expand and grow our offerings to existing clients and potential clients in multiple geographies.

Outlook

Looking ahead, Cosol stated it remains optimistic the company's performance will continue to run throughout the second half. It highlighted a strong pipeline of products that will be used to extend the company's reach to new customers. In addition, Cosol put forward its intention to maintain its investment in and deployment of its digital IP.

Lastly, management revealed it will pay fully franked dividends that equate to a payout ratio of 50% of NPAT.

The Cosol share price is up more than 120% over the past 12 months.

The post The Cosol (ASX:COS) share price jumped 8% today. Here's why appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Initial public offering (IPO) platform OnMarket found that year-end IPOs outperformed the  S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index:^AXJO) by more than 48%, reported the Australian Financial Review.

The average return for all newly minted ASX stocks in 2020 was 46.9% compared with the 1.5% drop in the top 200 stock benchmark.

Best ASX IPOs of 2020

The Nuix Ltd (ASX: NXL) share price, 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) share price and Aroa Biosurgery Ltd (ASX: ARX) share price are some examples of stocks that surged on the first day of trade.

The IPOs that delivered the best returns last year are the Tesoro Resources Ltd (ASX: TSO) share price, Cosol Ltd (ASX: COS) share price and 4DX share price.

The TSO share price surged over 800% in the period, while the COS share price and 4DX share price gained over 200% each.

Capital raisings crowded out IPOs in 2020

Nearly 70% of the newbies listed in the fourth quarter as capital raisings by established ASX stocks sucked all the oxygen in the earlier part of the year.

The turmoil caused by COVID-19 prompted many ASX companies to go cap in hand to shareholders to shore up their balance sheets.

If investors can buy discounted shares in a capital raising from established stocks, they would typically shun new unproven companies.

Number of new ASX listings expected to rebound

So, while OnMarket claimed that the December quarter proved to be the best quarter for ASX floats in at least five years, the number of IPOs in 2020 are still lower than most years.

But OnMarket managing director Nick Motteram told the AFR that the momentum in the closing months of 2020 is expected to continue into this year.

"It'll continue to be strong until there's an event where market confidence goes out the window or there are some big ones that don't do well," The AFR quoted Motteram as saying.

"The difficulty with any IPO is picking a winner and what's come out of this report is that getting access to as many as possible, putting in a consistent amount and holding for a consistent period is a winning strategy."

ASX gold stocks to lead IPO recovery

While tech is a hot space and could very well continue to be in demand by IPO investors, the sector that could dominate new ASX listings are gold explorers and miners.

Professional services group HLB Mann Judd was also quoted in the report as saying that it expected gold IPOs to feature heavily.

This is despite the recent pullback in the gold price from record highs of over US$2,000 an ounce. Given that economic uncertainty is likely to remain a big feature in 2021, you can't write-off the safe haven asset just yet.

The post Brace for an IPO resurgence as new floats beat the ASX 200 by ~50% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But with such a wide range in quality, some did better than others after listing on the ASX.

"Some [were] taking advantage of a short term boost to profits from COVID. With the market placing high valuation multiples on some of these sectors, they got the double benefit of high valuation multiples on cyclically high profits," Prime Value portfolio manager Richard Ivers told The Motley Fool last week.

"Others were high quality businesses with a solid long term outlook."

Sudden share price spikes in the early life of ASX shares don't necessarily equate to long-term investment worth.

But it's still interesting to look at which initial public offerings (IPOs) performed the best last year after listing. It indicates confidence from investors that the company has some sort of future.

The Motley Fool has picked out the six newly listed companies which delivered the highest share price gains in 2020. (Mining companies, often speculative, have been excluded from the rankings.)

Douugh Ltd (ASX: DOU): 467% return

This fintech has gone gangbusters since listing in October. Investors lucky enough to pay 3 cents per share during the IPO saw the Douugh share price end the year off at 17 cents.

Douugh has an eponymous smartphone app that helps users use artificial intelligence to "simplify" everyday banking. It analyses spending, pays bills, and helps customers reach savings goals.

The company also has a partnership with Mastercard Inc (NYSE: MA) to issue virtual debit cards under that badge.

Douugh shares have been in a trading halt since before market open on 21 December, pending an announcement regarding an acquisition.

Cosol Ltd (ASX: COS): 290% return

Cosol is a technology services provider, specialising in enterprise asset management systems. 

It managed to list in January before COVID-19 really struck Australia with an IPO price of 20 cents per share. Shares in the Brisbane business sold for 78 cents when the trading year ended.

The company revealed at its annual general meeting in November that it had won contracts with big clients like the Australian Defence Force and Energy Queensland.

4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX): 233% return

Another technology company, 4DMedical is the inventor of a medical imaging system called XV Lung Ventilation Analysis Software. The business reaps revenue from both software and hardware.

4DMedical sold shares for 73 cents a piece during its IPO. The 4DMedical share price has taken off since its float on the ASX in August, trading at $2.43 at the end of 2020.

The Melbourne and Los Angeles-based firm received approval for its technology from the Therapeutic Goods Administration in September, and scanned its first commercial patient in December.

Playside Studios (ASX: PLY): 130% return

Playside Studios is an electronic games maker. The company sold for 20 cents a share during its IPO but after less than a month of ASX trading it ended the year at 46 cents. 

Read about Playside's work in our 3 mammoth IPOs of 2020.

Credit Clear Ltd (ASX: CCR): 113% return

You can see by now there is a definite theme among the highest-returning IPO shares in 2020.

Credit Clear is yet another tech provider that sells accounts receivables software. The app provides the payer with an option for paying in instalments and allows the payee to access business intelligence about its customers.

After selling for 35 cents during its IPO, the Credit Clear share price surged 133% in just its first week on the ASX in October.

It has somewhat moderated now but still went for a very nice 74.5 cents when the year closed.

Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB): 99% return

Aussie Broadband is an internet services provider, mainly selling NBN plans.

The company deliberately markets itself as a premium provider, pointing out its superior speed, bandwidth and Australian customer service call centre.

The Victorian company sold its IPO shares for $1 a piece, including to some lucky customers. When it floated on 16 October, Aussie Broadband's market capitalisation was $190 million.

Now, with the Aussie Broadband share price doubling in just two months, it is using the capital raised to build its own dark fibre network. This means in the long term it will no longer have to pay lease fees to Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS).

"It also means we can connect businesses directly to our own fibre. So we're not paying the NBN or someone else for those services," Aussie Broadband managing director Phillip Britt told The Motley Fool back in September.

"We've got some fairly lofty ambitions. The capital markets was the obvious way to raise cash to do what we want to do."

The post These were the best-performing ASX IPOs in 2020 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

2 stellar ASX IPOs of 2020

Douugh Ltd (ASX: DOU) 

The Douugh share price has soared more than 450% from its 3 cent IPO price. Douugh believes the current business model operated by banks and neobanks is outdated, and the company aims to disrupt the status quo with a radically new banking model. Its app harnesses the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to automate banking in an effort to foster financial wellness and help users achieve their financial goals.  

The app includes the types of features you'd expect from a checking account as well as the ability to track fixed expenses and subscriptions, manage spending and more. Over the next 12 months, Douugh plans to introduce a variety of feature updates before rolling out a monthly subscription fee. It plans to launch an automated money management assistant called Autopilot and new managed investment portfolios called Wealth Jars. 

More recently, the company launched its app in the United States after a successful 18-month beta trial. Its go-to-market growth strategy is focused on key digital media channels and working with Google to utilise its AI-powered ad bidding platform to target profitable customers. It also partnered up with Humm Group Ltd (ASX: HUM) to manage a line of credit of up to US$1,000 to eligible customers through a dedicated 'Credit Jar' on the Douugh platform and virtual Mastercard. 

Cosol Ltd (ASX: COS) 

Cosol is a digital services company focused on clients operating in asset-intensive industries such as transport, oil & gas and mining. These companies typically have in place complex and capital-intensive systems, underpinned by software such as SAP and Ellipse, to manage the lifecycle of their physical assets. By utilising its own proprietary software and its extensive services capabilities, Cosol delivers a range of IT and business solutions to its clients. 

The company is profitable with pro-forma FY20 EBIT increasing 42% to $3.93 million and NPAT increasing 45% to $2.88 million, giving this ASX share a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately 35 at today's prices. The company is optimistic for the year ahead as its clients are providers of critical services such as water, mining, energy, defence, and public infrastructure. Investors who managed to participate in the Cosol IPO, which had an offer price of just 20 cents, would currently see returns sitting at 290%. 

The post You might have missed these top performing ASX IPOs of 2020   appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.