Who said investing was easy? Just when you thought the ASX was all-set for yet more pain, it pulls out a couple of days of strong gains.
Certainly, the gains may not last long, but it just goes to show you that stock markets can be very volatile and unpredictable in the short term.
Of course, short term fluctuations are not of concern to long term investors. Their focus on finding top quality companies at great prices and holding them for a number of years means that short term blips are more of an opportunity than a threat.
In fact, such a strategy can prove to be hugely profitable. With that in mind, here are three companies that could, over the longer term, turbocharge your portfolio.
Macquarie Group Ltd
While financial services companies have experienced a challenging number of years, the growth prospects for Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) seem to be rather bright. Indeed, the wealth management group is due to increase its bottom line at an annualised rate of 7.8% over the next two years which, if met, would be very impressive.
Furthermore, Macquarie's current valuation appears to be attractive on a relative basis. For example, it trades on a P/E ratio of 14.7 (versus 14.9 for the ASX) and, although dividends are due to be cut over the next two years so as to put the company on a more secure financial footing, Macquarie is still set to yield 5.6% in FY 2016.
As a result, Macquarie could be a stock to buy and hold over the medium to long term.
Origin Energy Ltd
Shares in Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) have risen by just 0.5% during 2014 and yet still trade on a rich valuation. For example, they have a P/E ratio of 21.4, which is 43% higher than that of the ASX. Certainly, this may put off a number of potential investors but, with strong earnings growth set to come over the next two years, Origin seems to make complete sense as a growth play.
For example, it trades on a price to earnings growth (PEG) ratio of just 0.66, which is well below the ASX's PEG ratio of 1.69 and although its unfranked yield of 3.5% is nothing to write home about, exceptional earnings growth means that it could be yielding as much as 5% in 2016. As such, it could give your bottom line a major boost moving forward.
Oil Search Limited
With the oil price tumbling in recent weeks, it's of little surprise that shares in Oil Search Limited (ASX: OSH) are down 7% in the last month alone. Clearly, a continuation of the commodity's decline will put the company's share price under more pressure.
However, taking a longer term view, Oil Search could prove to be a highly profitable investment. That's because it is expected to grow the bottom line at a phenomenal rate over the next couple of years. Certainly, forecasts may need to be adjusted downwards to take into account a lower oil price, but even if the current annualised growth rate in earnings of 88% over the next two years is not met, a PEG ratio of just 0.26 seems to offer an ample margin of safety.
As a result, Oil Search could be a top performer that boosts your bottom line.
