We asked our contributors to pick their favorite stocks to buy in September. Here are their top ideas.
Tim McArthur: Jetset Travelworld (ASX:JET)
Jetset Travelworld operates in three segments — as a franchisor to a network of travel agencies in Australia and overseas, as a wholesaler of travel products, and in the travel management segment. While Jetset is certainly no Flight Centre (ASX: FLT), when it comes to producing bucket loads of shareholder value, Jetset's potential to improve its earnings makes its current pricing appear too low.
Jetset's recently released financial results show a decline in total transaction value and revenues, which admittedly is not good to see especially when you compare it with the performances of Flight Centre and Corporate Travel Management (ASX: CTD). The company did manage to strip costs out and improve returns for shareholders. Diluted earnings per share rose from 1.24 cents per share (cps) to 3.71 cps and the dividend was increased from 1.1 cps to 1.5 cps.
With further efficiency improvements underway and the launch of a new consumer brand there is still another 18 months of 'turnaround' ahead, which will weigh on FY2014 results; however there is every possibility the market will wake up to the potential for a lift in FY2015 profitability before then.
Motley Fool contributor Tim McArthur owns shares in Jetset Travelworld.
Regan Pearson: Silver Lake Resources (ASX: SLR)
Silver Lake was hammered by the plunging gold price earlier this year, sending the share price plunging from over $3.50 to just $0.60. While the price has since recovered to around $1.00, it is still down almost 70%, while the price of gold is only down around 20%.
Silver Lake is one of the lower cost Australian gold producers with all-in sustaining costs for FY13 of $1,090 per ounce. Production for FY13 was up 83% and the company has room to increase production if the price of gold recovers and it becomes viable, making the company very attractive.
Motley Fool contributor Regan Pearson does not own shares.
Ryan Newman: Mortgage Choice (ASX: MOC)
Mortgage Choice is a name familiar to many Australians, and whilst it has hardly gone under the radar of investors – the stock has gained an incredible 73% over the last 12 months – it still only boasts a market capitalisation of just $314 million.
The mortgage broker stands to benefit significantly from record-low interest rates and improving consumer confidence. Given that the company was recognised as Australia's No. 1 Mortgage Broker by The Advisor in 2012, many mortgage seekers will utilise the services of Mortgage Choice.
Over the next year, Mortgage Choice will continue to focus on growing its diversified businesses and increasing its market share. A fully franked 5.3% dividend yield is the icing on the cake for this promising stock.
Motley Fool contributor Ryan Newman does not own shares.
Andrew Mudie: G8 Education (ASX: GEM)
G8 Education last month reported profit for the first half of 2013, a huge 62% rise from the previous corresponding period. The company operates childcare centres in Australia and Singapore and is growing quickly but sustainably. It acquired 33 new centres in 2012 and 27 more so far in 2013.
Profit is expected to be much higher in the second half, which could see strong share price growth between now and then. G8 also pays a fully franked dividend yield of 4.2%, which has risen by 50% in the past 12 months.
Motley Fool contributor Andrew Mudie owns shares in G8 Education.
Owen Raskiewicz: Leighton Holdings (ASX: LEI).
After a number projects, such as Brisbane;s Airport Link and Victoria's Desalination plant, suffered large time and cost overruns, Leighton's share price took a beating and fell from a peak of $40 back in 2010.
Management is now dedicated to restoring investors' faith and despite a recent slowdown in mining services, first-half net profit grew from $114 million in 2012 to $366 million in 2013, including the sale of some telecommunications assets, and helped it to rebuild its balance sheets. Currently it has $40 billion of projects in the pipeline.
Motley Fool contributor Owen Raszkiewicz owns shares in Leighton Holdings.
Claude Walker: My Net Fone (ASX: MNF)
I previously underestimated my stock for September, small-cap telecommunications company My Net Fone. Many companies in that industry trade at less attractive prices in comparison to their earnings, and My Net Fone has continued to grow (both organically and by acquisition) at a reasonable rate.
Indeed, with earnings per share of 6.6c for FY2013, it exceeded my expectations by more than 5%. This indicates either organic growth or better than expected synergies from acquisitions. The company has cash of $4.8 million and no debt, although it does have about $2.9 million more payables than receivables on the balance sheet. Trading on a grossed-up dividend of about 4%, I find My Net Fone reasonably attractive at the current offering price of $1.38.
Motley Fool contributor Claude Walker owns shares in My Net Fone.
Our writers love all these stocks, but none of them are our #1 dividend-paying stock right now. Discover The Motley Fool's favourite income idea for 2013-2014 in our brand-new, FREE research report, including a full investment analysis! Simply click here for your FREE copy of "The Motley Fool's Top Dividend Stock for 2013-2014."
More reading
