NZ shares still have room for gains this year
AMP Capital head of equities Guy Elliffe says a growing economy underpins gains in corporate earnings.
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New Zealand shares can continue their rally this year after a stellar performance in 2012 as a growing economy underpins gains in corporate earnings, according to fund manager AMP Capital Investors (New Zealand).
Head of equities Guy Elliffe told a media briefing in Wellington that gains in local equities will be "broadly comparable to other asset alternatives plus a risk premium". That will be on the strength of improving company revenue, which he sees as growing 3 percent this year, with earnings per share to gain by 6 or 7 percent.
"We expect companies will basically meet the expectations that investors and analysts expect," he says.
New Zealand shares returned 8.8 percent in the first quarter for a 26 percent annual return and the benchmark NZX 50 Index gained 0.7 percent today, closing at 4516.5.
Mr Elliffe says the more upbeat environment is supporting an increase in merger and acquisition activity, with investor confidence lending itself to corporate buyers and sellers.
There has also been a pick-up in capital raisings, with the government's planned mixed-ownership model looking for funds, and the exit of cornerstone investors in Trade Me and Sky Network Television in recent months.
"The total amount of those capital raisings is a level the New Zealand market hasn't had to absorb before, so there's definitely a digestion issue," Mr Elliffe says.
"That's pretty materially balanced by the very high level of government and corporate redemptions" as investors look for better returns in a low interest rate environment.
In February, Mr Elliffe told a client presentation the local stock exchange faces a "materially" busier year than normal in terms of capital raisings, and with demand that could see a net $2 billion in extra funds on top of any dividends or redemptions.
(BusinessDesk)
Paul McBeth
Wed, 11 Jul 2018
Wed, 11 Jul 2018
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NZ shares still have room for gains this year
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