New opportunities amongst the noise

Andrew Tang

Morgans Financial

February results were broadly in-line despite ongoing systemic risks such as a housing slowdown, weak consumer, intensifying regulatory and political risk. February's rally suggests investors had feared an escalation of these, and the lack of any significant "new issues" for Corporates certainly added fuel to the relief rally. 

However, expectations for FY19 corporate profits (ex-Resources) eroded further and sees the market tracking toward a very tepid looking 4.1% compound annual growth in profits over the next three years. 

This contrasted a sharp lift in valuations, with the ASX200 Industrials 12-month forward PE recovering to pre-selloff levels at ~16.1x. 

We're in familiar territory. Only six months ago the market was riding a wave of positive sentiment against stretched valuations, heading into a period directed by macro-economic noise rather than underlying fundamentals. 

We remain on alert for trading momentum to potentially unwind. 

Capital management a short-term focus 

Capital management ex-Resources was a touch underwhelming relative to surplus capital available (Flight Centre, ERM Power) and significant surplus franking credit balances (JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Ramsay Healthcare, Bendigo Bank). Corporates are also broadly deploying less capital into re-investment for growth. 

Clearly boards are exercising balance sheet caution against a challenging operating environment which was reflected in cautious outlook commentary. 

New buybacks (QBE Insurance), Brambles) and large Special dividends (Wesfarmers, Flight Centre) were almost universally rewarded as momentum investors seek the sugar hit, but we caution the generation of surplus capital without ongoing investment is unlikely to be sustainable. 

New opportunities amongst the noise 

We think that looming NSW and Federal elections, falling house prices and a range of geopolitical risks will temper expectations of further substantial market gains from here. 

New opportunities to emerge from reporting season include: 

Offshore growth exponents 

  • Treasury Wine Estate (ASX:TWE)  
  • Corporate Travel Management (ASX:CTD)  
  • Lovisa (ASX:LOV)
  • Iress (ASX:IRE) 

Steady cashflow growers 

  • Wesfarmers (ASX:WES)
  • Origin (ASX:ORG)
  • Aventus (ASX:AVN) 

Those enjoying industry tailwinds  

  • Oil Search (ASX:OSH)  
  • PWR Holdings (ASX:PWH)  
  • Data #3 (ASX:DTL)
  • Red Hill Education (ASX:RDH) 

Those past their cycle lows 

  • Telstra (ASX:TLS)  
  • QBE Insurance (ASX:QBE)
  • AP Eagers (ASX:APE) 

Cheap stocks being overlooked  

  • CML Group (ASX:CGR)  
  • Bingo Industries (ASX:BIN)  
  • Noni B (ASX:NBL)
  • Whitehaven Coal (ASXWHC)
  • Orocobre (ASX:ORE) 

Andrew Tang
Analyst - Equity Strategy
Morgans Financial

Andrew is a member of the Morgans Investment Committee, and is responsible for equity strategy bulletins, high conviction stocks, model portfolios and other products focusing on key areas such as reporting season, factor analysis and short interest.

I would like to

Only to be used for sending genuine email enquiries to the Contributor. Livewire Markets Pty Ltd reserves its right to take any legal or other appropriate action in relation to misuse of this service.

Personal Information Collection Statement
Your personal information will be passed to the Contributor and/or its authorised service provider to assist the Contributor to contact you about your investment enquiry. They are required not to use your information for any other purpose. Our privacy policy explains how we store personal information and how you may access, correct or complain about the handling of personal information.

Comments

Sign In or Join Free to comment