The Australian sharemarket has followed the lead set by international equity markets overnight which saw the Dow Jones and NASDAQ indices rise 0.3% and 0.5% respectively. The local benchmark, the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO), has edged 0.2% higher to be trading at 5945 points.
However, there are a number of blue-chip stocks which have thus far achieved greater gains than the market itself, including these three…
Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) has lifted 1.8%, although it is still trading 19% lower over the last 12 months. While it has been battered by the falling energy prices, oil managed to rebound marginally overnight providing the sector with some relief. The stock is trading at $29.58, down from a 52-week high of $38.92.
Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd (ASX: CCL) has lifted 0.8% today after the beverage manufacturer released its 2014 Annual Report. Although 2014 was a tough year for the company, it confirmed that momentum had risen towards the end of the year while it was still expecting a return to mid-single digit earnings per share growth over the next few years. You can read more about that here.
Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW) has lifted by 2.1% to $29.65, representing a gain of 60 cents per share. The supermarket behemoth has come under heavy selling pressure in recent months as investors grow increasingly concerned about its ability to compete against rivals Coles and Aldi, while its Masters Home Improvement chain has also raised eyebrows. However, long-term investors may be recognising the stock's incredible value right now – particularly given its generous fully franked dividend yield.
