We are nearly into 2019, so it's time to consider what shares will help us beat the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO).
Despite the recent market falls the following ASX shares are still up in 2018 and could go up even further in 2019:
Afterpay Touch Group Ltd (ASX: APT)
The Afterpay share price is still up around 90% this year at the time of writing. Afterpay is achieving the business development goals it's setting out for itself. Afterpay is now a major player in the Australian retail world and is spreading to other industries like dental.
Why it could go up in 2019: The inquiry into credit providers could give Afterpay the all-clear and impose no changes. This could bring back positive sentiment to the share price. If Afterpay achieves expectation-beating results in the USA and/or the UK then the Afterpay share price could be a fair bit higher this time next year.
Costa Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: CGC)
The Costa share price is up around 10.3% this year, not including dividend returns. Costa is growing its business in Australia, China and North Africa, and expanding into new food categories like avocados. There are several reasons to like Costa.
Why it could go up in 2019: Costa is predicting low double-digit NPAT-S growth for the next few years, which may seem pretty attractive if some of the cyclical shares like retailers and banks run into more trouble in 2019. Costa may make another major acquisition which improves its growth outlook.
Citadel Group Ltd (ASX: CGL)
The Citadel share price is up 20% during 2018, not including dividend returns. Citadel keeps expanding its software into new industries and winning additional contracts with its core business.
Why it could go up in 2019: Considering its profit growth rate in FY18, Citadel is trading at a cheaper value than the other well-known tech shares. It has locked-in revenue from its contracted clients, which will be useful in a downturn. Citadel is actively looking to expand offshore, if it does then that gives Citadel a much longer-term growth horizon.
Foolish takeaway
These three shares have excellent Australian businesses and are actively looking to expand internationally – a key ingredient to produce market-beating investment returns with ASX shares. At the current prices, I'd be comfortable making a long-term investment in Citadel and Costa, Afterpay is too expensive for my portfolio.
