Last week I wrote that adequate diversification and having smaller position sizes could be a useful trick to make share ownership less risky for beginning investors. I suggested that owning 20 shares was a good target for readers to aim for.
20 companies is too many to fit in one article, but in the spirit of that advice, here are some ideas for a 10-share diversified portfolio to get you started. There are companies from 8 of the ASX's 11 GICS Categories (market sectors):
Produces a type of milk and baby formula potentially suitable for people with reported lactose intolerance. Growing operations in ANZ, China, USA, and UK.
- Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) – information technology (software)
A developer of computer software used for the design of printed circuit boards (PCBs) which are used in all electronic devices. Thought to have a long growth runway ahead with Internet of Things (IoT) and other tailwinds.
- Costa Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: CGC) – Consumer staples (agriculture)
Horticulture company that grows berries, mushrooms and tomatoes among others. Growing operations in Australia, Morocco, and China.
- Greencross Limited (ASX: GXL) – Consumer discretionary (retail)
Vet and pet retailer aiming to consolidate the fragmented Australian industry. Currently controls 6% of the market and is targeting 20% over the long term.
- Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) – Financials (health insurance)
Health care insurer with implicit support for the industry as government aims to migrate health care burden from public to private sector. Competitive industry but reliable sales and ability to raise prices to cover costs.
- National Storage REIT (ASX: NSR) – Real Estate (storage)
A storage facility operator across Australia and New Zealand with an attractive dividend. Appears less vulnerable to a property downturn than many other REITs.
- Platinum Asset Management Limited (ASX: PTM) – financials (fund management)
Blue-chip fund manager with a record of outperformance and attractive dividend. Growing Australian fund management industry is a tailwind.
- Reliance Worldwide Corporation Aus P Ltd (ASX: RWC) – industrials (manufacturing)
Designer and manufacturer of proprietary plumbing fittings including SharkBite push-to-connect. Competitive market but potential for new products to disrupt staid industry.
- Senex Energy Ltd (ASX: SXY) – Energy (oil and gas)
Oil and gas producer with long-term sales agreements, sitting on significant untapped fields. Minimally profitable but potential to become much larger in time.
- TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPM) – Telecommunications (internet and mobile)
A large telco with a variety of popular internet brands benefiting from reliable demand for internet service. Potential to grow its market share during customer migration to the NBN.
That's not to say you should go out and buy all 10 companies tomorrow, but this list could be a good starting point for building a diversified portfolio.
