Global markets were lower overnight amid renewed tensions between the US and China and as the oil price retraced, weighing on the energy sector.
Investors sold off stocks after President Donald Trump cancelled a planned historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and threatened tariffs on auto imports while trade tensions with China simmered. Oil prices recorded their largest one-day drop in two weeks, with expectations building that OPEC (Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries) could wind down an output deal due to concerns about supplies from Venezuela and Iran.
Stock in Focus: Ryman Healthcare (RYM:NZ)
Shares in retirement village giant Ryman Healthcare are trading near all-time highs after reporting a solid set of annual profit figures.
Ryman lifted annual underlying earnings (which excludes revaluations in the property portfolio) by 14% to $203.5 million and said it anticipates more growth with 16 villages in the pipeline. This was in line with management’s earlier guidance and continues to prove the companies long term track record of executing well. Ryman now has 32 retirement villages across New Zealand and Australia with a further 16 villages in the pipeline which when completed will lift resident numbers by 65% to 17,500 across 48 villages.
While we are positive on the retirement village sector given the tailwinds of an ageing population, we are also conscious of Ryman’s premium valuation.
We currently have a HOLD recommendation on Ryman.
Members should look out for a full update on Ryman in next week’s weekly report.
Australia & New Zealand Market Movers
The Australian share market was a touch higher yesterday (ASX 200 index +0.07%) as he ASX avoided a sixth straight loss despite the major banks continuing to weigh on the market. Commonwealth Bank led the market losses following its appearance at the royal commission as it was revealed the bank had made a slew of errors, including charging double interest on around 2,500 simple business overdrafts. Gaming company Aristrocrat surged +8% as its digital social gaming revenue helped drive a +35% jump in half year profit.
The New Zealand market made gains on Thursday (NZX 50 index +0.44%) as A2 Milk rebounded from recent selling, while Fletcher Building and honey producer Comvita fell. In stock news, retirement village Metlifecare said It will build a $180 million retirement village in Auckland’s Beachlands, one of the ‘greenfield’ sites the industry it has been accumulating. Metro Performance Glass rose +7% as investors were relieved that while Its full-year profit fell -16% to $16.3 million, this was in line with guidance it gave in April (and not another downgrade).
3 Things Markets Will be Watching this Week
1. The development of trade talks between the US & China.
2. US Federal Reserve Chairman Powell makes a speech on Friday, following the release of the latest Fed meeting minutes on Wednesday.
3. This week also sees a number of profit updates from ASX/NZX company’s which we will be watching closely
Have a Great Day,
Team