Soon we'll be into December, so it shouldn't be surprising if you find yourself drifting off, thinking about where you'd like to spend your holiday. Before you hit the travel and discount flight websites, it's probably better to work out your stock picks now so you won't be looking at watchlists on a beach somewhere.
Like picking travel destinations, you can pick investing themes for your stocks and then home in on good companies in those categories.
Exotic Asian culture – Thailand
A pick from the growing telecom sector: TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPM): The telecommunications service provider is making waves this year with its plans to extend its high-speed broadband network infrastructure in urban areas where it will potentially compete with the national broadband network. It may have interest in adding to its physical network infrastructure in other cities to extend its service coverage. It just bought up a 7% stake in Amcom Telecommunications Limited (ASX: AMM), which has networks in Perth. Establishing itself as a wholesale and retail service provider in the major cities could help TPG's business growth.
Old World culture – Rome
A pick from the high demand energy sector: Oil Search Limited (ASX: OSH): The company's 29% stake in the PNG LNG project is starting to pay off as production and LNG exports kicked off earlier this year. Company earnings were up 54% in FY 2014. Production output is expected to rise four times over the next 1 – 2 years. In addition, the current two processing plant facilities could be expanded by yet another 2- 3 LNG trains in the mid-term, due to even more gas production. The PNG LNG project is an ongoing growth story that investors can take advantage of through Oil Search.
Family outdoor getaway – Cairns
A pick from the healthcare sector: Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC): The largest private hospital operator in Australia has successfully expanded into France, becoming the leading private hospital operator there as well. It plans to increase its hospital network in Asia, where healthcare is becoming a booming industry because of the urbanisation and aging populations of some countries like China. Earnings are forecast by analyst consensus to grow around 17% annually over the next two years. I particularly like the company as a great long-term investment because of the overseas growth potential.
