Rudi’s View: The Importance Of ‘Quality’ Growth

This story features ARISTOCRAT LEISURE LIMITED, and other companies. For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: ALL

By Rudi Filapek-Vandyck, Editor

With year-end approaching for what has been, on most accounts, a positively surprising 2024 overall, strategists at Wilsons explained this week why their Focus Portfolio retains an “overarching bias” towards Quality stocks on the ASX.

Historically, explains Wilsons, higher-quality businesses generate higher returns. Among the criteria used to define what is a higher-quality company is Return on Equity (ROE).

When deciding which cyclicals to add, the focus does not waver from that higher-quality requirement.

To quote the strategists directly: “Given cyclicals are, to some extent, exposed to the ebb and flow of the economic cycle, quality is a particularly important consideration, which is why the portfolio’s cyclical exposures are principally concentrated among quality cyclicals – that is, cyclicals with quality attributes and attractive bottom-up structural growth stories.”

Wilsons focus reminded me about one observation made on social media recently which I intend to fully incorporate into my own analyses and writings from now onwards:

One often made mistake by investors is to buy into a low-quality business during great economic times. (They often won’t notice their mistake until economic momentum deteriorates, of course).

Wilsons Focus Portfolio owns relatively large exposures to Aristocrat Leisure ((ALL)) and James Hardie ((JHX)), both considered high-quality cyclicals.

The FNArena-Vested Equities All-Weather Model Portfolio does not include highly cyclical businesses in its mandate, but the Portfolio has owned shares in Aristocrat almost since Day One.

We think Aristocrat Leisure’s business is not half as cyclical as is James Hardie’s and challenge anyone to locate ‘the cycle’ on a backward-looking price chart for the past decade or so in Aristocrat shares.

Of course, the shares still move in line with market sentiment and contrary to bond yields and so forth.

Wilsons has grabbed the opportunity to once again explain why its Focus Portfolio is so keen on exposure to one of the “highest quality businesses on the ASX”, in reference to Aristocrat Leisure.

Let’s move straight to the key points:

-The company significantly outspends its competitors on R&D
-The company continuously grabs more market share

To complement these points, Wilsons adds a largely recurring revenue profile, a high degree of pricing power, and successful new product development.

James Hardie, on the other hand, also offers a high degree of pricing power, alongside a track record of above-system growth, with attractive margins on top.

James Hardie is also leveraged to the US housing construction cycle, where it generates some 75% of sales.

Wilsons argues a cyclical recovery is in the making, plus James Hardie’s structural growth story remains intact.

Both companies released their respective FY24 and 2Q25 results last week and it is Wilsons’ assessment that both market updates reaffirmed why these are two of the highest quality businesses on the local bourse.

***

Reading the many share market assessments that swirl around every week, it seems the calls for at least a temporary retreat in ‘share market exuberance’ are being repeated with more gusto this month.

Maybe this is also what is being reflected in price action post the initial Trump euphoria; it’s a lot less ebullient, with more attention to the potential negatives from whatever Trump 2.0 might have in mind.

A recent update by JP Morgan suggests the Australian share market looks overvalued in the order of 4%-5%.

The below is how strategists at Canaccord Genuity weighed in this week:

” …the US election is thought to have changed everything it seems, with the further rise in bond yields and equity indices seemingly an expectation of stronger US growth and higher interest rates, while perhaps discounting higher inflation and budget deficits.

“This may prove right, but it also may not, with a wide range of outcomes considered possible and uncertainty high, around plans, implementation, timelines and results.

“To quote the Fed Chair last week in relation to potential policies, “the answer isn’t obvious until we see actual policies and even then it’s not obvious”.

“Without recounting the voluminous discussion there has been about potential consequences, if we take the extremes at one end the optimistic view of higher US growth with low inflation on the back of tax cuts and deregulation, and at the other end the pessimistic expectation of stagflation from tariffs and deportations and envisage in reality perhaps a more likely middle ground, then the risk to markets could be a dampening of the recent exuberance.

“That would also be consistent with some easing in elevated equity valuations both in the US, where the S&P500 PE ratio is high and the earnings yield is now little above the 10-year bond yield and in Australia, where the ASX200 PE ratio excluding the resource sector looks similarly elevated to the S&P500 PE ratio.”

Canaccord strategists are recommending a tactical overweight (slightly) to fixed income (bonds) and a “moderately” underweighted positioning in equities.

****

Morgan Stanley‘s outlook for the Australian share market in 2025 suggests the route forward won’t be straightforward with plenty of potholes keeping investors on their toes, but all in all the year ahead should turn out another net positive.

Morgan Stanley’s base case scenario places the ASX200 near 8500 by year-end 2025. That may not look as attractive as the potential for double-digits in the US, it’s still a positive outlook regardless.

At some point, the strategists suggest, the market will rotate into commodities and cyclicals, and this has been incorporated into that forecast.

Timing the rotation will remain on the strategists’ mind from here onwards.

In the meantime, Quality Growth and industrials with US exposure should remain well-supported.

Morgan Stanley continues to view lower bond yields ahead, so REITs and selected defensives continue to have the strategists’ blessing.

One of the key focal points for the strategists is Earnings Quality, in particular when rummaging through the ‘Value’ part of the local share market.

The Australian share market is currently not offering much in terms of earnings growth, as also reported in earlier updates, but by this time next year Morgan Stanley predicts local investors are looking towards 10% EPS growth ahead for the ASX200.

Shorter term, the analysts see Quality Growth supporting the Technology & Healthcare sectors.

The broker’s Model Portfolio remains underweight Discretionary Retail, Staples, and Insurance.
****

Part One of Weekly Insights this week: https://fnarena.com/index.php/2024/11/20/rudis-view-knock-knock-volatility-is-back/

Best Buys & Conviction Calls

Ord Minnett’s list of Conviction Calls:

-Alliance Aviation Services ((AQZ))
-ARB Corp ((ARB))
-Cosol ((COS))
-EQT Holdings ((EQT))
-Electro Optic Systems Holdings ((EOS))
-GQG Partners ((GQG))
-Lindsay Australia ((LAU))
-Qoria ((QOR))
-Regis Healthcare ((REG))
-SiteMinder ((SDR))
-SRG Global ((SRG))
-Stanmore Resources ((SMR))
-Vault Minerals ((VAU))
-Waypoint REIT ((WPR))

****

Jarden’s recent update on smaller cap ASX-listed companies (“emerging companies”) has led to the release of 20 Best Ideas, lined up in order of anticipated total return (potential):

-IPH Ltd ((IPH))
-Temple & Webster ((TPW))
-Universal Store Holdings ((UNI))
-Nick Scali ((NCK))
-SiteMinder ((SDR))
-EVT Ltd ((EVT))
-AUB Group ((AUB))

The above are all picked by the broker’s Emerging Companies research team. The following stock picks have been selected by respective sector analysts:

-Inghams Group ((ING))
-Monadelphous ((MND))
-Champion Iron ((CIA))
-Domain Holdings Australia ((DHG))
-Genesis Energy ((GNE))

And then there’s another list of stocks that have equally been selected with High Conviction:

-Pointsbet Holdings ((PBH))
-Telix Pharmaceuticals ((TLX))
-Integral Diagnostics ((IDX))
-National Storage ((NSR))
-Ingenia Communities Group ((INA))
-Karoon Gas ((KAR))
-Pepper Money ((PPM))
-Michael Hill International ((MHJ))

****

Wilsons’ Australian Equity Focus Portfolio:

-CAR Group ((CAR))
-Aristocrat Leisure ((ALL))
-WEB Travel Group ((WEB))
-Lottery Corp ((TLC))
-Collins Foods ((CKF))
-Breville Group ((BRG))
-Santos ((STO))
-ANZ Bank ((ANZ))
-National Australia Bank ((NAB))
-Macquarie Group ((MQG))
-Westpac Bank ((WBC))
-Hub24 ((HUB))
-Steadfast Group ((SDF))
-CSL ((CSL))
-ResMed ((RMD))
-Telix Pharmaceuticals ((TLX))
-Worley ((WOR))
-Xero ((XRO))
-TechnologyOne ((TNE))
-BHP Group ((BHP))
-James Hardie ((JHX))
-Evolution Mining ((EVN))
-South32 ((S32))
-Metals Acquisition ((MAC))
-Sandfire Resources ((SFR))
-HealthCo Healthcare & Wellness REIT ((HCW))
-Goodman Group ((GMG))
-WiseTech Global ((WTC))

****

Stock pickers at Crestone have released their Best Sector Ideas; an attempt to identify the best in breed business models for major industry group sectors for long-term oriented investors. Anticipated performance over the next three years is part of the key considerations.

The selection consists of 17 companies:

-Aistocrat Leisure ((ALL))
-Ampol ((ALD))
-APA Group ((APA))
-Beach Energy ((BPT))
-Brambles ((BXB))
-CSL ((CSL))
-Goodman Group ((GMG))
-IGO Ltd ((IGO))
-James Hardie Industries ((JHX))
-Lottery Corp ((TLC))
-Macquarie Group ((MQG))
-Metcash ((MTS))
-Monadelphous Group ((MND))
-REA Group ((REA))
-ResMed ((RMD))
-Suncorp Group ((SUN))
-Xero ((XRO))

Crestone’s selection of sustainable dividend growers consists of 22 names. Historically, the stockpickers remind investors, companies that grw dividends consistently can offer superior long-term performance for those who own them.

-Amcor ((AMC))
-Ampol ((ALD))
-APA Group ((APA))
-Atlas Arteria ((ALX))
-Beach Energy ((BPT))
-BHP Group ((BHP))
-Car Group ((CAR))
-Coles Group ((COL))
-Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure ((DBI))
-Iress Ltd ((IRE))
-Lottery Corp ((TLC))
-Macquarie Group ((MQG))
-Metcash ((MTS))
-Mirvac Group ((MGR))
-Pro Medicus ((PME))
-QBE Insurance ((QBE))
-RAM Essential Services ((REP))
-ResMed ((RMD))
-Suncorp Group ((SUN))
-Tabcorp Holdings ((TAH))
-Telstra ((TLS))
-Westpac Banking ((WBC))

****

Ord Minnett’s most preferred choices on the ASX:

-AGL Energy ((AGL))
-Alliance Aviation ((AQZ))
-ARB Corp ((ARB))
-Brambles ((BXB))
-CSL ((CSL))
-EQT Holdings ((EQT))
-Insurance Australia Group ((IAG))
-Judo Capital ((JDO))
-James Hardie ((JHX))
-Medibank Private ((MPL))
-Newmont Corp ((NEM))
-nib Holdings ((NHF))
-Pinnacle Investment Management ((PNI))
-Qantas Airways ((QAN))
-Regis Healthcare ((REG))
-Rio Tinto ((RIO))
-ResMed ((RMD))
-SRG Global ((SRG))
-Santos ((STO))
-Strike Energy ((STX))
-Telstra ((TLS))
-Vault Minerals ((VAU))
-Vicinity Centres ((VCX))
-Westpac Bank ((WBC))
-Waypoint REIT ((WPR))
-Xero ((XRO))

****

Wilsons Highest Conviction investment ideas:

-Santos ((STO))
-Car Group ((CAR))
-James Hardie
-Hub24 ((HUB))
-Aristocrat Leisure ((ALL))

Among Research Ideas, the following six names are seen as Long Term Growth ideas:

-Flight Centre ((FLT))
-Ridley Corp ((RIC))
-Universal Stores ((UNI))
-ARB Corp ((ARB))
-Neuren Pharmaceuticals ((NEU))
-Siteminder ((SDR))

For those with a more speculative mindset, Wilsons puts forward PYC Therapeutics ((PYC)). In the Resources sector, the choice is Beach Energy ((BPT)).

****

Goldman Sachs’s APAC Conviction List includes Life360 ((360)) and Xero ((XRO)).

****

The full list of UBS’s Most Preferred Best Stock Ideas:

In Resources:

-BlueScope Steel ((BSL))
-Newmont Corp ((NEM))
-Orica ((ORI))
-Origin Energy ((ORG))
-Rio Tinto ((RIO))
-Santos ((STO))

In Financials:

-AUB Group ((AUB))
-Dexus ((DXS))
-Medibank Private ((MPL))
-QBE Insurance ((QBE))
-Suncorp Group ((SUN))

Industrials:

-Brambles ((BXB))
-Car Group ((CAR))
-Coles Group ((COL))
-NextDC ((NXT))
-REA Group ((REA))
-Telstra ((TLS))
-Telix Pharmaceuticals ((TLX))
-Treasury Wine Estates ((TWE))
-Worley ((WOR))
-Xero ((XRO))

The list of Least Preferred exposures:

-APA Group ((APA))
-Aurizon Holdings ((AZJ))
-ASX ((ASX))
-Bank of Queensland ((BOQ))
-CommBank ((CBA))
-Cochlear ((COH))
-Domain Holdings Australia ((DHG))
-JB Hi-Fi ((JBH))
-Reece ((REH))
-Scentre Group ((SCG))

****

Morgan Stanley’s Macro+ Focus List in Australia is currently made up of:

-AGL Energy ((AGL))
-GPT Group ((GPT))
-James Hardie ((JHX))
-Santos ((STO))
-WiseTech Global ((WTC))

Plus:

-Aristocrat Leisure ((ALL))
-Car Group ((CAR))
-Macquarie Group ((MQG))
-Paladin Energy ((PDN))
-Suncorp Group ((SUN))

****

Morgan Stanley’s Australia Macro+ Model Portfolio is currently made up of the following:

-ANZ Bank ((ANZ))
-CommBank ((CBA))
-National Australia Bank ((NAB))
Westpac ((WBC))

-Macquarie Group ((MQG))

-Suncorp Group ((SUN))

-Goodman Group ((GMG))
-GPT Group ((GPT))
-Scentre Group ((SCG))
-Stockland ((STG))

-Aristocrat Leisure ((ALL))
-CAR Group ((CAR))
-Domino’s Pizza ((DMP))
-The Lottery Corp ((TLC))
-Wesfarmers ((WES))
-WiseTech Global ((WTC))

-James Hardie ((JHX))

-Orica ((ORI))

-Coles Group ((COL))

-CSL ((CSL))
-ResMed ((RMD))

-AGL Energy ((AGL))
-Origin Energy ((ORG))
-Telstra ((TLS))
-Transurban ((TCL))

-BHP Group ((BHP))
-Newmont Corp ((NEM))
-Rio Tinto ((RIO))
-South32 ((S32))

-Paladin Energy ((PDN))
-Santos ((STO))
-Woodside Energy ((WDS))

****

Crestone’s selected list of Best Ideas in Australia:

-Ampol ((ALD))
-APA Group ((APA))
-Aristocrat Leisure ((ALL))
-Beach Energy ((BPT))
-Brambles ((BXB))
-CSL ((CSL))
-Goodman Group ((GMG))
-IGO Ltd ((IGO))
-James Hardie ((JHX))
-Macquarie Group ((MQG))
-Metcash ((MTS))
-Monadelphous Group ((MND))
-REA Group ((REA))
-ResMed ((RMD))
-Suncorp Group ((SUN))
-The Lottery Corp ((TLC))
-Xero ((XRO))

****

Stockbroker Morgans’ list of Best Ideas:

-Acrow ((ACF))
-ALS Ltd ((ALQ))
-Amotiv ((AOV))
-Beacon Lighting ((BLX))
-BHP Group ((BHP))
-Camplify Holdings ((CHL))
-Cedar Woods Properties ((CWP))
-ClearView Wealth ((CVW))
-CSL ((CSL))
-Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure ((DBI))
-Dexus Industria REIT ((DXI))
-Elders ((ELD))
-Flight Centre Travel ((FLT))
-GQG Partners ((GQG))
-HomeCo Daily Needs REIT ((HDN))
-Karoon Energy ((KAR))
-MA Financial ((MAF))
-Maas Group ((MGH))
-Mach7 Technologies ((M7T))
-NextDC ((NXT))
-PolyNovo ((PNV))
-QBE Insurance ((QBE))
-Qualitas ((QAL))
-Reliance Worldwide ((RWC))
-ResMed ((RMD))
-Rio Tinto ((RIO))
-South32 ((S32))
-Superloop ((SLC))
-The Lottery Corp ((TLC))
-Treasury Wine Estates ((TWE))
-Universal Store Holdings ((UNI))
-WH Soul Pattinson ((SOL))
-Woodside Energe ((WDS))

****

Macquarie Wealth‘s recommended Growth Portfolio:

-Goodman Group ((GMG))
-Seek ((SEK))
-Aristocrat leisure ((ALL))
-Northern Star ((NST))
-CSL ((CSL))
-Computershare ((CPU))
-NextDC ((NXT))
-Flight Centre ((FLT))
-Mineral Resources ((MIN))
-Cleanaway Waste Management ((CWY))
-Steadfast Group ((SDF))
-James Hardie ((JHX))
-ResMed ((RMD))
-Pexa Group ((PXA))
-Treasury Wine Estates ((TWE))
-Viva Energy ((VEA))
-Xero ((XRO))

Macquarie Wealth’s recommended Income Portfolio:

-Suncorp Group ((SUN))
-Telstra ((TLS))
-National Australia Bank ((NAB))
-Westpac Bank ((WBC))
-ANZ Bank ((ANZ))
-BHP Group ((BHP))
-CommBank ((CBA))
-Premier Investments ((PMV))
-Coles Group ((COL))
-Viva Energy ((VEA))
-Atlas Arteria ((ALX))
-Aurizon Holdings ((AZJ))
-APA Group ((APA))
-GPT Group ((GPT))
-Deterra Royalties ((DRR))
-Metcash ((MTS))
-Amotiv ((AOV))
-Charter Hall Retail REIT ((CQR))
-Amcor ((AMC))

****

In December, Shaw and Partners released its 10 Best Ideas to benefit from the anticipated small caps’ revival in 2024:

-AIC Mines ((A1M))
-Austin Engineering ((ANG))
-FireFly Metals ((FFM)), previously AuTeco (AUT)
-Chrysos ((C79))
-Gentrack Group ((GTK))
-Metro Mining ((MMI))
-MMA Offshore ((MRM))
-Peninsula Energy ((PEN))
-ReadyTech Holdings ((RDY))
-Silex Energy ((SLX))

****

Macquarie’s ASX Quality Compounders:

The highest quality compounders’ as identified by Macquarie quant research inside the ASX300:

-James Hardie ((JHX))
-Cochlear ((COH))
-REA Group ((REA))
-TechnologyOne ((TNE))
-ResMed ((RMD))
-Data#3 ((DTL))
-Pro Medicus ((PME))
-Jumbo Interactive ((JIN))
-PWR Holdings ((PWH))
-Netwealth Group ((NWL))
-Aristocrat Leisure ((ALL))
-Spark New Zealand ((SPK))
-Codan ((CDA))
-Clinuvel Pharmacauticals ((CUV))
-Redox ((RDX))

Given Macquarie’s research strong leaning on the past five years, with high barriers to match, the following 11 companies fell just outside the above list:

-Fisher & Paykel Healthcare ((FPH))
-Medibank Private ((MPL))
-Coles Group ((COL))
-The Lottery Corp ((TLC))
-Lovisa Holdings ((LOV))
-CSL ((CSL))
-IDP Education ((IEL))
-Pinnacle Investment Management ((PNI))
-ARB Corp ((ARB))
-Breville Group ((BRG))
-Johns Lyng ((JLG))

****

Key Stock Picks for the year-ahead nominated by analysts at Bell Potter:

-Among listed investment companies (LICs); Australian Foundation Investment Company ((AFI)), Metrics Master Income Trust ((MXT)), and MFF Capital Investments ((MFF))

-Agriculture & fast moving consumer goods; Bega Cheese ((BGA)), Rural Funds Group ((RFF)), and Elders ((ELD))

-Technology; TechnologyOne ((TNE)), Gentrack ((GTK)), and REA Group ((REA))

-Diversified Financials; Perpetual ((PPT)), Regal Partners ((RPL)), and McMillan Shakespeare ((MMS))

-Real Estate; Dexus Convenience Retail REIT ((DXS)), HealthCo Healthcare & Wellness REIT ((HCW)), and GDI Property Group ((GDI))

-Retailers; Premier Investments ((PMV)), Universal Store Holdings ((UNI)), and Propel Funeral Partners ((PFP))

-Aerospace & Defence; Electro Optic Systems ((EOS)) and Austal ((ASB))

-Industrials; Brickworks ((BKW)), IPD Group ((IPG)), and Cleanaway Waste Management ((CWY))

-Healthcare; Telix Pharmaceuticals ((TLX)), Cyclopharm ((CYC)), Aroa Bioscience ((ARX)), MedAdvisor ((MDR)), and Neuren Pharmaceuticals ((NEU))

-Gold sector; Capricorn Metals ((CMM)) and Santana Minerals ((SMI))

-Base metals; Aeris Resources ((AIS)), Nickel Industries ((NIC)), and Mineral Resources ((MIN))

-Strategic Minerals; Alpha HPA ((A4N)), IperionX ((IPX)), and Liontown Resources ((LTR))

-Energy sector; Boss Energy ((BOE)) and Paladin Energy ((PDN))

-Mining services; Seven Group Holdings ((SVW)), Mader Group ((MAD)), and SRG Global ((SRG))

****

Morningstar’s selection of Best Buys on the ASX:

-IGO Ltd ((IGO))
-TPG Telecom ((TPG))
-Domino’s Pizza ((DMP))
-Bapcor ((BAP))
-Endeavour Group ((EDV))
-Santos ((STO))
-ASX Ltd ((ASX))
-Aurizon Holdings ((AZJ))
-Brambles ((BXB))
-Dexus ((DXS))
-SiteMinder ((SDR))
-APA Group ((APA))
-Fineos Corp ((FCL))
-ResMed ((RMD))

****
Ord Minnett’s research analyst Athena Kospetas has communicated the following Key Preferred Ideas per sector:

Financials
-Westpac ((WBC))
-Judo Bank ((JDO))
-Insurance Australia Group ((IAG))
-Medibank Private ((MPL))
-nib Holdings ((NHF))
-Pinnacle Investment Management ((PNI))
-EQT Trustees ((EQT))

Resources
-Rio Tinto ((RIO))
-Newmont Corp ((NEM))
-Red 5 ((RED))

Energy & Utilities
-Santos ((STO))
-Strike Energy ((STX))
-AGL Energy ((AGL))

Healthcare
-ResMed ((RMD))
-CSL ((CSL))
-Regis Healthcare ((REH))

Consumer stocks
-Qantas Airways ((QAN))
-ARB Corp ((ARB))

Communication Services & Technology
-Xero ((XRO))
-Seek ((SEK))
-Telstra ((TLS))

Industrials
-James Hardie ((JHX))
-Brambles ((BXB))
-Alliance Aviation ((AQZ))
-SRG Global ((SRG))
-Qube Holdings ((QUB))

Real Estate
-Vicinity Centres ((VCX))
-Waypoint REIT ((WPR))

****

Barrenjoey’s Top Picks:

-Insurance Australia Group ((IAG)) among financials, as well as GQG partners ((GQG)) and Westpac ((WBC))
-Xero ((XRO)), Pexa Group ((PXA)) and Dicker Data ((DDR)) in the technology sector
-Vicinity Centres ((VCX)) and Abacus Storage King ((ASK)) among REITs
-South32 ((S32)), Lynas Rare Earths ((LYC)) and Perseus Mining ((PRU)) among miners and Strike Energy ((STX)) in the oil&gas sector
-ResMed ((RMD))
-Metcash ((MTS))
-Aristocrat Leisure
-Reliance Worldwide ((RWC))
-Brambles ((BXB))
-Seven Group ((SVW))

My research and All-Weather stock selections are 24/7 available for paying subscribers: https://fnarena.com/index.php/analysis-data/all-weather-stocks/

(Do note that, in line with all my analyses, appearances and presentations, all of the above names and calculations are provided for educational purposes only. Investors should always consult with their licensed investment advisor first, before making any decisions.)  

P.S. I – All paying members at FNArena are being reminded they can set an email alert for my Rudi’s View stories. Go to My Alerts (top bar of the website) and tick the box in front of ‘Rudi’s View’. You will receive an email alert every time a new Rudi’s View story has been published on the website. 

P.S. II – If you are reading this story through a third party distribution channel and you cannot see charts included, we apologise, but technical limitations are to blame.

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