The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) had another disappointed week last week, finishing 4.2% lower at 4765 points. The index has lost 10% in 2016, and we're officially in a bear market.
Obviously, there are lots of nervous investors. The big four banks were hammered in a global selloff, energy shares continue to get pummelled, and oil is rallying in response to reports of a possible OPEC supply deal.
But, it's not all bad news for investors!
Despite all of that, I went in search of the 10 top-performing shares that have annihilated the S&P/ASX 200 over the past 6 months. The shares are listed by their outperformance vs the S&P/ASX 200.
| Company | 6 month outperformance |
| a2 Milk Company Ltd (Australia) (ASX: A2M) | 146.25% |
| Bellamy's Australia Ltd (ASX: BAL) | 139.35% |
| Regis Resources Limited (ASX: RRL) | 112.13% |
| EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN) | 108.54% |
| Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) | 103.38% |
| IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH) | 89.34% |
| Blackmores Limited (ASX: BKL) | 88.42% |
| OceanaGold Corporation (ASX: OGC) | 69.51% |
| Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) | 67.26% |
| Metcash Limited (ASX: MTS) | 67.17% |
(Source:Commsec)
1.a2 Milk Company Ltd
a2 Milk is a producer of infant formula and other dairy products. The company has annihilated the S&P/ASX 200 by a whopping 146.3% in the past six months. In its most recent guidance and outlook commentary, the company said: "As recently advised, infant formula is emerging as a more significant growth driver for the company than expected, with a current focus on sales in ANZ [Australia and New Zealand] and in China".
2.Bellamy's Australia Ltd
Bellamy's is a supplier and marketer of organic baby food and formula. The company has annihilated the S&P/ASX 200 by 139.4% in the past six months.
Such is the unprecedented demand from China for its products that the company had to release an "important message" on its website to its local consumers, when it was unable to keep up with local demand.
3.Regis Resources
Regis is a relatively small gold producer with three mines in Western Australia. The company has annihilated the S&P/ASX 200 by a 112.1% in the past six months. Regis is very financially prudent, with its focus on paying dividends to shareholders. Its strategy is to use in-house mine design and construction expertise to generate value.
4.EVOLUTION
Evolution is a gold miner, operating a number of gold and silver mines in Australia. The company has annihilated the S&P/ASX 200 by 108.5% in the past six months. Evolution's success is due to the fact that it's increased its gold production while reducing its costs.
5.Northern Star Resources
Northern Star Resources is a gold producer. The company has annihilated the S&P/ASX 200 by 103.4% in the past six months. It's also very prudent, and recently reported cash, bullion and investments up by $30 million in the December quarter. The company remains debt free.
6.IPH Ltd
IPH is an intellectual property services firm. The company has annihilated the S&P/ASX 200 by 89.4% in the past six months. In 2014 the company acquired Spruson & Ferguson (S&F), an early patent and trade marks attorney firm. This office is now one of its two IP service hubs, providing a "one-stop" patent and design filing and prosecution service in 19 Asian countries.
7.Blackmores
Blackmores is the current leader in the Australian vitamin herbal and mineral supplement, or VHMS sector. The company has annihilated the S&P/ASX 200 by 88.4% in the past six months. This is unlikely to stop with demand for complementary medicines growing as the industry continues to gain credibility.
8.OceanaGold Corporation
OceanaGold is a gold producer with assets in New Zealand and the Philippines. The company has annihilated the S&P/ASX 200 by 69.5% in the past six months, recently reporting an increase in its gold production by 36% year-on-year, while significantly reducing its costs.
9.Treasury Wine Estates
Treasury is a pure-play premium wine producer and marketer. The company has annihilated the S&P/ASX 200 by 67.3% in the past six months. Its balanced proportion of luxury/premium brands assures access to distributors in all major markets, while several iconic brands afford easier access to fast-growing wine demand in emerging markets such as China.
10.Metcash Limited
Metcash is the primary supplier of packaged groceries for many independent retailers. The company has annihilated the S&P/ASX 200 by 67.2% in the past six months. Metcash dominates the Australian wholesale distribution of packaged groceries to independent retailers. Metcash acts as a co-operative, funneling independent sales volume through a single channel.
