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Australia’s New Program to Support Nepalis in Overseas Education
A statement issued by the leading education services provider also revealed its plans of opening an office in Kathmandu by August 1, 2018
Australia’s New Program to Support Nepalis in Overseas Education


Bringing new hope for Nepali students, international education giant ‘Australia’s IDP Education’ declared a scholarship program for ‘Nepal’s future citizens’!

The scholarship program worth AUD 50,000 aims at assisting students in getting access to quality overseas education in English-speaking nations from Australia and countries such as UK, Ireland, USA, Canada and New Zealand.

“To create more opportunities for students from Nepal, IDP will be offering international education scholarship to ten ambitious Nepali students. The selection will be merit-based to deserving candidates to help them connect to lifelong career success through an international education degree,” says Andrew Barkla IDP Education CEO.

Additional IDP Educational Plans
IDP EducationSpeaking further, Barkla says that IDP also want to co-operate with Nepali NGOs to provide easy education access to the country’s underprivileged youth.

During the IDP media briefing, Piyush Kumar Regional Director IDP South Asia said, “We are delighted with our plan to launch IDP’s first student placement services office in Hattisar, Kathmandu.”

He went on to say that adding highly-trained and experienced counsellors will help students make better education choices with more clarity.

A statement issued by the leading education services provider also revealed its plans of opening an office in Kathmandu by August 1, 2018 to assist Nepali students achieve their international education goals.

About IDP
IDP was incepted in 1969 with the name Australian Asian Universities’ Cooperation Scheme (AAUCS) with universities in South-East Asia. It was later renamed as the International Development Program (IDP) of Australian universities, colleges and schools.

On a hopeful note!
We hope that the interests of similar leading education bodies bring out the best from Nepal’s learning masses and also present opportunities to underprivileged youth who have limited opportunities of pursuing an education abroad.

https://www.nepalisansar.com/news/australias-new-program-to-support-nepalis-in-overseas-education/
 
Chart. Grand canyon education
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Covestro raises guidance after a strong second quarter

Submitted by Editorial staff on 26th July 2018
26th July 2018
inShare
Group sales improved by 10.4% to EUR 3.9 billion / Core volumes up 4.4% / EBITDA grew by 16.2% to EUR 985 million / Net income rose by 24.8% to EUR 604 million / Free operating cash flow increased by 14.1% to EUR 364 million / Guidance for EBITDA, FOCF and ROCE raised

http://www.oilandgastechnology.net/news/covestro-raises-guidance-after-strong-second-quarter
 
Strong Buy Consensus rating on stock: Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (LOPE)
20th August 2018 Mack Mortenson 0 Comments Grand Canyon Education, Inc., LOPE


Strong Buy Consensus rating on stock: Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (LOPE)
 
Paragon care





Why Paragon Care Ltd. surged after announcing a large capital raising
Brendon Lau | August 27, 2018 | More on: HSO PGC RHC


It defies conventional wisdom but hospital equipment supplier Paragon Care Ltd. (ASX: PGC) has surged ahead after announcing a $45 million capital raising at the same time as it handed in its earnings report card.

The share price of the hospital equipment supplier surged over 10% at the opening bell before giving up half of its gain to trade 5.4% higher at 82 cents.

That’s still a good outcome as most other companies doing a capital raise typically see their shares come under pressure as new shares are almost always offered at a discount to the current value.

The difference here is that Paragon has done the opposite and completed the share placement at a big premium to its market value. Hong-Kong listed China Pioneer Pharma Holdings Limited has agreed to buy 50.4 million new shares in the ASX company at a price of 91 cents a pop.

That’s a 17% premium to Paragon’s last traded price on Friday and is quite a coup for management. It shows that the new investor is very confident that the stock is under-priced or it wouldn’t have coughed up to purchase 15% of the company.

I am not surprised to see the stock pull back from the morning peak and I suspect we won’t see Paragon trade above 91 cents in the near-term even as management posted a 17% increase in full year revenue to $136.7 million and a 6% improvement in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to $18.2 million for the period ended June 30, 2018.

It is a good result but I think it misses the mark on a few fronts. While group earnings are up, its earnings per share (EPS) have fallen 13% to 5.4 cents due to recent acquisitions. This is a little below consensus data on Reuters.

There are also signs of cost pressures building. While gross margin is up 1 percentage point to 40%, EBITDA margin is down even if you discounted the impact of acquisitions.

Some may also question the synergies that China Pioneer can bring to the table outside of capital. China Pioneer is also a supplier of hospital equipment but to the Chinese market. The idea is that there could be cross-selling opportunities between the two entities (I suspect more so Paragon selling product into China through its new investor).

That makes strategic sense but some might argue that distribution partners don’t usually take a stake (and such a large one at that) in each other.

What probably persuaded Paragon is that China Pioneer was willing to offer so much and at such a big premium.

Paragon is a prolific buyer of businesses and it will use the cash injection to fund two potential acquisitions. The company has not released any details on the buyouts as it hasn’t signed any binding agreements.

I would normally be nervous about companies doing acquisitions, particularly at such a pace, although Paragon has a good track record on this front – at least so far.

In my view, the stock is a better way to gain exposure to the hospital industry instead of Ramsay Health Care Limited Fully Paid Ord. Shrs (ASX: RHC) and Healthscope Ltd (ASX: HSO) who are impacted by the drop in private patients.

Paragon is also trading on a more attractive valuation, although the stock will probably struggle to trade much higher until management releases details on the two latest potential acquisitions.

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Motley Fool contributor Brendon Lau owns shares of Paragon Care Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Paragon Care Limited and Ramsay Health Care Limited. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. 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 Paragon Care Ltd. surged after announcing a large capital raising | Motley Fool Australia
 
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