The S&P/ASX 100 (Index: ^AXTO) (ASX: XTO) managed to carve out a solid gain of approximately 6% in 2017.
Below you will find the best and worst performers amongst Australia's top 100 listed companies last year.
The best performers were:
The A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) share price rocketed 261% in 2017. The catalyst for this was largely the stronger than expected profit growth it delivered thanks to growing demand for its infant formula in China.
The Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) share price rose 68.5% last year thanks to an 11% rise in the gold price following U.S. dollar weakness. However, with treasury yields widening in the U.S. I expect the gold price to come under pressure in 2018.
The BlueScope Steel Limited (ASX: BSL) share price jumped 65.8% over the last 12 months due to strong demand for steel in China. This led to the steel producer reporting a net profit after tax of $715.9 million for FY 2017, up more than 100% on the previous year.
The worst performers were:
The Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) share price finished 2017 with a decline of 28.7%. The driver of this decline was of course its plan to make a sizeable cut to its dividend in FY 2018. Telstra plans to pay a 22 cents per share dividend this year.
The Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd. (ASX: DMP) share price fell 28.1% last year. The pizza chain operator did the unthinkable in 2017 and missed its own full-year profit guidance. I think Domino's could bounce back in 2018.
The Vocus Group Ltd (ASX: VOC) share price tumbled 21.7% over the last 12 months. Almost all Australian telco shares were sold off last year amid concerns over NBN margins and increased competition.
