The English Premier League may be over for another season, but football fans should fear not, as one of the world’s great football tournaments is only weeks away now.
Starting 10 June, France will host UEFA Euro 2016 and with England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the competition, it promises to be an exciting competition from a UK perspective.
Any large event brings with it investment opportunities and with that in mind, here are three companies that could benefit from this year’s European Championships.
Football kit specialist
When I think of sports gear, one name comes to mind, Sports Direct International (LSE: SPD).
As the UK’s largest sporting retailer, if a young football fan wants an England shirt, or the football boots that Harry Kane is wearing, there’s a strong chance he (or she) will go to Sports Direct.
This tournament may just give Sports Direct International the boost in revenues it needs, because there’s no doubt it’s been a torrid few years for the company.
A profit warning in January as high street conditions deteriorated, combined with some questionable corporate governance practices from owner Mike Ashley, have resulted in sentiment towards the stock turning extremely sour. The share price has been walloped and is down 35% year-to-date already.
But on a historically low P/E ratio of 8.15, in my opinion the risk is now to the upside, especially if one of the home teams can get out of their group and inspire the nation.
Thirst of a nation
Is there a better way to watch a major sporting tournament than in the pub, cheering on your country with your fellow countrymen?
Pubs love a big sporting event and pub operator Greene King (LSE: GNK) stands to benefit from Euro 2016. Indeed, research conducted by Greene King recently revealed that “over a third of British football fans intend to watch at least one game of the European Championships in a pub this summer, making it the preferred destination for those wanting to watch the drama unfold outside of their own home.”
A trading update back in February revealed strong momentum across the group, and with the stock trading on a P/E ratio of 13.2 times next year’s earnings and sporting a healthy dividend of 3.4%, Greene King looks like a good way to capitalise on the thirst of the nation this summer.
Fancy a bet?
There’s no doubt that the British love a wager and I’m confident there will be plenty of bets placed for Euro 2016.
William Hill (LSE: WMH) has had a tough time recently, falling behind its competitors in the movement towards online betting and suffering from some unexpected sporting results, but with over 2,370 licensed betting shops in the UK, the company should still take plenty of wagers on this tournament.
With the share price down 21% year-to-date, and the company sitting on a current P/E ratio of 14.5 with a 4% dividend yield, now could be a good time to bet on a recovery at William Hill.