Today I’m looking at three FTSE 100 (INDEXFTSE: UKX) favourites set to deliver stunning earnings growth.
Chip in!
Few Footsie-listed stocks can match the terrific earnings growth enjoyed by chip-builder ARM Holdings (LSE: ARM).
The Cambridge business has seen its bottom line explode at a compound annual growth rate of 17% during the past five years, ARM Holdings’ dominance of the tablet PC and smartphone demand delivering splendid returns.
Many investors are concerned that saturation in these markets will see ARM Holdings’ profits growth hit the wall looking ahead. But I’m not concerned — indeed, the company’s decision to diversify into fast-growing sectors such as networks, servers and the Internet Of Things is continuing to drive royalties higher.
It therefore comes as little surprise that the City expects the tech titan’s earnings to leap 45% and 15% higher in 2016 and 2017.
And while high on paper, I reckon subsequent P/E ratings of 28.5 times and 25.1 times represent decent value given the surging popularity of ARM Holdings’ products across tech markets.
Drugs dynamo
The earnings records of ARM Holdings and medicines mammoth GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK) in recent years couldn’t be more different.
Eroding patent protection has seen sales of products like Lovaza and Advair collapse at the Brentford firm. But the loss of these labels’ exclusivity has led GlaxoSmithKline to throw the kitchen sink at developing the next generation of revenues drivers, measures that are paying off handsomely.
Indeed, GlaxoSmithKline is confident of rolling out 40 new drugs for regulatory approval within the next decade, around four-fifths of which the firm believes have the capacity to become first-in-class.
And with the medical giant concentrating on fast-growing therapy areas like HIV, vaccines and oncology, and global healthcare investment steadily rising, I believe GlaxoSmithKline should see earnings mushrooming in the years ahead.
The City has pencilled-in rises of 16% and 5% for 2016 and 2017 alone. And I believe subsequent P/E ratings of 16.4 times and 15.8 times are great levels from which to leap onto GlaxoSmithKline’s compelling turnaround tale.
Household hero
The ubiquity of Unilever’s (LSE: ULVR) products also makes it a winner for those seeking solid earnings growth in the years ahead.
Not only can Unilever’s wares be found across the home — the company makes all manner of items, from bleach and noodles through to deodorant and margarine — but brands like Simple, Knorr and Ben & Jerry’s command customer loyalty like few others.
And thanks to its huge presence in emerging regions — Unilever currently gets 60% of total sales from these places — I reckon the firm is in great shape to enjoy the fruits of galloping wealth levels in these ‘new’ marketplaces.
The number crunchers share my bullish view, and Unilever is predicted to enjoy earnings rises of 8% both in 2016 and next year. I reckon consequent P/E ratings of 21.7 times and 20.2 times are splendid value given the manufacturer’s terrific defensive qualities.