5 ASX 100 gainers for the week

Navitas and Recall Holdings performed best in the last week of January.

Darryl Daté-Shappard

I started investing after finding a copy of Peter Lynch's "Beating the Street" in the English book section of a library in Japan, where I was living at the time in 1997. Seeing that regular people can find investment ideas just as easily as professionals, I used the philosophy of that book to invest in stocks in Japan, and later in Australia after moving in 2001. I also have experience in property investing, and went on to complete my masters degree in Applied Finance at QUT in Brisbane. I follow the investment style of Peter Lynch, Phillip Fisher and Warren Buffett-- knowing what you invest in, doing your homework to keep up with a stock's story and holding a healthy skepticism of what the stock market calls "value".

Published February 3, 2014 12:02 am AEDT

In the last week of January, the S&P ASX 100 Index (ASX: ^XTO) ended at 4,311, down 0.9% for the week and 3% down from December. The US Fed confirmed it would taper more of its bond buying, initially giving the US dollar more strength, yet by week's end the Aussie dollar was up from $0.868 to $0.875.

Here are five top ASX 100 gainers for the week.

Navitas Limited (ASX: NVT) +5.6% ($6.76)

Releasing its half-year report on 31 January, revenue was up 19% for the educational services provider to $421.9 million, bringing NPAT to $36.1 million for a 3% gain. University programs, its largest segment, saw an enrolment growth in all key regions and significant fee growth, producing a 12% EBITDA gain. Two new colleges were opened during the period.

Recall Holdings Ltd (ASX: REC) +5.6% ($4.49)

The provider of information management solutions, which spun off from Brambles Limited (ASX: BXB) and listed in December, worked its way back up to close at one cent below its $4.50 closing price on its first trading day. Morningstar initiated coverage last week, setting a "hold" rating on the stock.

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) +4.1% ($47.47)

Until last week it had traded sideways since early December between $44 and $48. Most recent peak was $53.12 on 4 November.

Beach Energy Limited (ASX: BPT) +3.6% ($1.42)

In a guidance revision on 30 January, oil production for FY2014 is projected to be 9.2 – 9.6 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe), up from 8.7 – 9.3 mmboe. Also, capex guidance is up to $450 – $500 million, rather than previous guidance of $420 – $480 million.

Adelaide Brighton Ltd. (ASX: ABC) +2.7% ($3.78)

The share price of the building materials producer continued up, following its general rise from its mid-December low of $3.50. It set a new 52-week high of $3.88 on 26 November.

Foolish takeaway

This Tuesday, 4 February, the RBA will give its decision on interest rates for the first time since its December board meeting, when it held the cash target rate at 2.5%. Since that 3 December date, the Aussie has fallen 4.16% from $0.913 against the US$, so it may keep rates on hold as the weakened currency reduces the need for stimulus.

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