The S&P ASX 100 Index (ASX: ^XTO) closed on Friday at 4,431, 0.1% higher for the week. Its most recent high was 4,530 on 25 February. Here are four ASX 100 stocks that made new 52-week highs over the past week.
Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL) hit a 52-week high of $5.52 while rising about 20% in the last two months. Earnings over the past four years have been rising as the effects of the GFC on consumer spending lessen and casino development in Asia moves ahead.
It is the market leader in the Asian gaming machine industry, holding about 55% market share. Apart from the boom in casino development in Macau, other countries in the region like the Philippines, Vietnam and South Korea have new developments underway. Japan may join that list as it considers changing its gambling legislation. Current price: $5.44.
Lend Lease Group (ASX: LLC), the international property and infrastructure group, touched a new 52-week high of $12.10. Its residential housing business saw $1.52 billion in pre-sale revenue in the first half of FY2014, thanks to the improving property market.
Its Australian business segment was down in profit in the first half, but it saw gains in its Asian and North American businesses. It is developing residential and commercial buildings for its Barangaroo South project at Darling Harbour. One of the towers will be the home of a six-star hotel and gambling venue proposed by Crown Resorts Limited (ASX: CWN). Current price: $11.76.
Bank of Queensland Limited (ASX: BOQ) hit a 52-week high of $12.80, just above the $12.76 high it set in mid-November last year. Its 2013 annual result was a statutory net profit of $185.8 million, up from a loss on the previous corresponding period.
Underlying net profit before tax over the past five years has increased steadily from $315 million to $477.4 million. Current price: $12.67.
Sydney Airport Holdings Ltd (ASX: SYD) ($4.15) set a 52-week high of $4.27. In its FY2013 annual report released in February, EBITDA were up due to a 4.1% increase in international passenger numbers. The company moved from an 84.8% to 100% ownership in Sydney Airport during FY2013.
Its guidance for FY2014 distribution is 23.5 cents per stapled security, up from 22.5 cps in FY2013. Current price: $4.15.
Foolish takeaway
I am encouraged most by Lend Lease. The rising housing market will be driving growth and further expansion in Asia and the Americas, this will improve its geographical diversity of income.
