If you’re hunting for white-hot growth stars, look no further than this trio.
Brilliant brand power
Thanks to its terrific collection of market-leading labels, I believe household goods giant Reckitt Benckiser (LSE: RB) is a splendid selection for those seeking exceptional profits expansion in the years ahead.
Fears over economic cooling in emerging markets from Brazil to China are likely to persist for some time yet. But due to the formidable pricing power of brands like Nurofen pain relievers and Harpic bleach, Reckitt Benckiser is able to weather the worst of macroeconomic cooling in these key territories. Indeed, like-for-like sales from developing regions actually ticked 10% higher in July to September, accelerating from 8% in the prior quarter.
And with Reckitt Benckiser’s marketing and product development drive clicking through the gears, the City expects earnings to edge 3% higher in 2015 before advancing 7% next year. A P/E rating of 24 times for next year may be high on paper, but I believe the strength of Reckitt Benckiser’s labels fully merits such a premium.
Sales heating up
Concerns over the impact of the forthcoming National Living Wage on the retail industry continue to cast a pall over hotel and coffee house operator Whitbread (LSE: WTB). Consequently the stock is trading around levels not seen for over a year, but I believe this represents a prime buying opportunity.
Demand for the Dunstable company’s hot beverages continues to go through the roof and sales at Costa Coffee advanced 13.8% in the 13 weeks to November 26. Turnover at Premier Inn leapt 10.8% during the period. I’m convinced revenues should continue heading northwards as global expansion across both divisions takes off.
Whitbread has a stellar record of generating earnings growth at double-digit percentages and the number crunchers don’t expect this trend to cease any time soon. Indeed, expansion of 13% and 12% is currently chalked in for the years ending February 2016 and 2017, respectively. Consequently Whitbread deals on a very reasonable P/E rating of 17.2 times for next year.
Reaching for the skies
Budget airline easyJet (LSE: EZJ) is reaping the rewards of surging demand for cheap air travel across the continent. The travel giant announced earlier this month that it saw passenger numbers leap 9.6% during November to 4.81 million. The leap would have been even more impressive if not for a huge spike in terrorism- and weather-related cancellations.
And I see no reason for this breakneck momentum to slow any time soon. Not only is easyJet benefitting from improving consumer spending power on holiday-related purchases, but the company is ramping up the number of routes and airports from which it operates to maximise revenue opportunities.
With the Luton flyer also benefitting from collapsing fuel costs, earnings are expected to advance 8% in the 12 months to September 2016, resulting in a mega-low P/E ratio of 11.2 times. I believe this is a bargain given easyJet’s exceptional sales momentum and ambitious expansion plans.