13 quality companies that fit our preferred thematics

13 quality companies that fit our preferred thematics. Ahead of the August reporting season, we thought it would be helpful to provide investors with a snap-shot of our preferred thematics. We retain solid exposure to quality companies that can grow earnings outside of the economic cycle (eg. M2 Group, G8 Education, Austbrokers, Slater & Gordon). The Australian and NZ housing markets continue to be robust with building approvals and housing starts rebounding strongly. This augurs well for stocks exposed to this thematic (eg. Fletcher Building, Dulux, CSR). The US economic recovery remains on track, despite some weather related weakness early in the calendar year. The Funds have material exposure to a strengthening US economy (eg. Ardent Leisure, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Sirtex). We remain upbeat on the financial services sector which is underpinned by favourable structural drivers and a pickup in FUM flow (eg. Henderson Group, Treasury Group, SFG Australia). (VIEW LINK)