With results season almost done, it's about time for investors to start revaluing their portfolio. What are the best opportunities going forward? Which are the underperformers that need to be cut?
Here are two companies that I think are good value, and would buy right now with $2,000.
A2 Milk Company Ltd (Australia) (ASX: A2M)
A2 shares fell last week after the company released a set of impressive results. Arguably the company disappointed the market, which has lofty expectations for the business. Yet at prices below $2 per share investors can grab exposure to A2's premium milk products, which promise better digestion and use branding and steadily growing awareness to grow sales. After the recent report, A2 has increasingly become about infant formula, with the baby product making up more than half of its total sales.
Although formula is currently driving the company forwards, a growing brand awareness should see consumers and their families trying other A2 products like yoghurt, milk, ice cream, and so on. If research into the positive effects of A2 milk on digestion can be substantiated – so much the better. With significant potential for expansion into China, the USA, UK, as well as into other product categories in Australia, A2 shares look like a good buy at today's prices.
Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)
Although its results for the last year weren't outstanding, Flight Centre continues to anticipate benefits from the roll-out of its international network as well as investment in new start-up growth ventures. The company has a very strong balance sheet, with minimum levels of debt, and the 4% fully franked dividend has obvious appeal. Flight Centre isn't a rapid growth business like A2, above, but nor is it priced like one.
Yet the company is expanding overseas and is launching a variety of new businesses including an automated travel agent as well as a variety of niche travel services. These businesses are unprofitable and dragged down profits in the most recent year, yet should make modest positive contributions over time, while broad geographic diversification reduces the impact of a downturn in any one market.
The outlook for Flight Centre in 2017 is subdued due to many events such as the Zika virus, airline price wars, the 'Brexit' vote, and so on, but the company has a very strong balance sheet, an effective business model, and a well-aligned and capable CEO.
I've personally put $1,000 each into A2 and Flight Centre, but would consider putting $2,000 into either, or both, at today's prices.
