Growth opportunities whatever the weather
Professional investors Nigel Kennett and Daniel Monks tip three shares to grow regardless of what is happening in the market cycle.
Two professional investors tell MoneyWeek where they'd put their money now.This week:Nigel Kennett and Daniel Monks, managers, CF Canlife UK Equity Fund
Markets have been volatile and falling commodity prices raise worrying questions about the state of global demand and economic growth. Here in the UK, however, the economy remains in a good state of health. GDP growth for the coming year is forecast at 2.3%.
This is supported by a falling unemployment rate that now stands at 5.1%, rising real wages, low levels of inflation and the prospect of interest rates remaining at historic lows. While the strong pound and a weaker global growth outlook has had a negative impact on manufacturing, we continue to see solid levels of growth in several areas of the services sector. We believe the commodities sector remains unattractive, but we see several bright spots in the UK market, particularly among some cyclical companies in the consumer-discretionary sector.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Our strategy is to find companies that offer genuine structural growth opportunities and are capable of performing well regardless of the market or economic cycle. Many of the best long-term growth prospects are with companies that take advantage of changes in consumer tastes, industry dynamics, or technological developments. The best prospects for growth at the moment are to be found in consumer-focused sectors, given low oil and energy prices, rising wages and low interest rates.
Whitbread (LSE: WTB) is a solid consumer-focused company and is the UK market leader in its two core businesses, Premier Inn and Costa Coffee. The Costa chain of coffee shops is set to expand, both in the UK and overseas. And Premier Inn has tapped into the popularity of the discount economy that has led to the success of discounters such as Aldi and Lidl.
This has been driven by a seismic shift in consumer behaviour towards saving money in the years following the financial crisis. Premier Inn is a well-recognised brand that is gaining market share and operates in a sector that grows by more than the rate of GDP. Whitbread's valuation is also backed by a vast portfolio of freehold property.
Just Eat (LSE: JE) provides takeaway outlets with access to a larger number of potential customers through an online ordering system.It has the potential to grow whether the economy does or not. In 2011 total sales through mobile devices amounted to less than £5bn. This is projected to reach £17bn in 2017, at which point it will make up about 25% of all purchases made over the internet in the UK. The growth rate is high and Just Eat's market-leading brand gives it scope to raise its margins and profitability considerably.
Finally, we like Ashtead (LSE: AHT), the plant hire company. It has a strong presence in the American heavy equipment market. Historically, US construction firms tended to own their own equipment, rather than hire it, whereas in the UK and Europe it has been the other way around. However, since the financial crisis, American firms have started to hire too.
When the financial crisis hit in 2008, Ashtead had little debt and was able to buy newer machines when its rivals were unable to do so. This strategy has helped it grow and as a result it is the number three player in the American market, with a 6%-7% market share. Its share price has risen substantially over the years and the industry is highly cyclical, but the company has solid fundamentals that should stand it in good stead for some time to come.
Sign up to Money Morning
Our team, led by award winning editors, is dedicated to delivering you the top news, analysis, and guides to help you manage your money, grow your investments and build wealth.
Nigel Kennett, manager, CF Canlife UK Equity Fund
-
Review: The Store, Oxford – purveyors of excellence
MoneyWeek Travel The Store is a luxurious, new hotel in Oxford that has set up shop in a former department store in the heart of the city
By Chris Carter Published
-
Seven ways the Budget could hike inheritance tax or capital gains tax at death
Chancellor Rachel Reeves could target death taxes by raising IHT and/or levying CGT on inheritances. We look at some potential moves in the Autumn Budget
By Ruth Emery Published