One way investors can choose winning stocks is to follow the growth of businesses as they grow across a country. If the business model works in one city or region, chances are it could work in others.
But what about investing in current market leaders? Have we missed the boat in terms of future growth?
The simple answer is as long as the market isn't saturated, growth can still happen. And if the domestic market is getting a little crowded, then it's time to take the show on the road and go international.
Here are three big name stocks that are doing just that. While still building their market-leading positions here in Australia, they see further growth can come from expanding into Asia, where three of the top five most populated countries in the world are.
1) Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)
The $66 billion telecom company has been positioning itself for growth outside of Australia for some time. It has almost 16 million mobile phone service customers, but it wants to establish a regional enterprise service in South East Asia.
CEO David Thodey said the company is looking at acquisitions and its goal is to have about one-third of its profits coming from Asian business in the next five years. Recent sales of non-core assets have given it a sizable war chest to embark on this venture.
2) SEEK Limited (ASX: SEK)
Being the number one jobs listings website gives Seek ample earnings, with reported net profits up more than three times since 2010. Its subsidiary, Seek Asia, is now in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, operating through such brand names as JobStreet and JobsDB.
Its investment in the China employment website company Zhaopin is paying dividends as that company is getting ready to list on the New York Stock Exchange soon. There is room for Seek to leverage its online development expertise and establish itself as a regional employment website market leader in South East Asia.
3) Carsales.com Ltd (ASX: CRZ)
The car sales website that listed in 2009 has quickly become a market leader. There still is room for domestic growth, but the company is already taking the initiative to expand internationally by investing in established companies operating in South East Asia, South Korea and Brazil. All of these countries are highly populated with healthy car markets.
Company net profits have doubled over the last three years and the overseas expansion gives it good future prospects.
