As the country’s unofficial national anthem, Three Lions, famously cries out: ‘everyone seems to know the score; they’ve seen it all before…’. And so it proved to be the case again last night, with England’s late defeat to Uruguay once again disappointing supporters and leaving the team on the precipice of an early World Cup exit.
So, with England’s footballers getting ready to touch down at Heathrow in the coming days, the time has come to once again pack away the flags, lock up your loved ones and get back to the business of savvy stock picking. With this in mind I have selected a handful of stocks which look primed to take off and keep on rising. Just like a Chris Waddle penalty.
Cineworld
As the nation gears up to spend its summer evenings without Steven Gerrard and company, the country’s other great past-time — an enjoyable night at the flicks — should enjoy a healthy resurgence, benefitting the likes of big screen chain Cineworld (LSE: CINE). Takings at the box office and popcorn stand should also go higher on the back of blockbusters Transformers: Age of Extinction, How To Train Your Dragon 2 and Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes, all of which are slated for release in the coming weeks.
According to City analysts, Cineworld is poised to punch earnings growth of 5% this year, a readout which is anticipated to accelerate to 19% in 2015. Although 2014’s forecast is for a P/E multiple of 16.2, just above the benchmark of 15 that represents reasonable value, this dips to 13.5 for next year.
Kingfisher
As England withdraw from the world’s greatest football carnival once again, the country’s army of DIY’ers will be left with plenty of time on their hands in which to tackle those odd jobs around the house. In this regard Kingfisher (LSE: KGF) — operator of giant home improvement brands B&Q and Screwfix — should benefit from surging demand for everything from hammers and garden pots through to bathroom suites.
Forecasters expect Kingfisher to punch earnings growth of 7% for the year concluding January 2015, leaving the firm dealing on a P/E multiple of 14.7. And this collapses to 12.8 for 2016 amidst an expected 15% earnings surge. Indeed, the firm’s 700+ stores should allow Kingfisher to really latch onto the resplendent UK retail recovery.
British Sky Broadcasting Group
With football now sent packing until the domestic season kicks off in August, British Sky Broadcasting Group (LSE: BSY), which proclaims to be ‘Your Home of Sport‘, should benefit as keen sports watchers switch their attention to other sporting disciplines. Events including Formula 1 motor racing, English Test cricket against Sri Lanka and India, and a host of European and PGA golf tour events are ready to dominate the network’s six sports channels in the next few weeks.
City brokers expect the broadcasting giant to recover from an anticipated 4% earnings decline in the year concluding June 2014 with a meaty 14% advance next year. This recovery creates a decent P/E multiple of 13.4, whilst also underpinning a chunky 4% dividend yield.
