This week's 52-week highs are a little eclectic, involving an iron ore producer, an international retail business, and an international financial software provider.
A couple of stocks only made the cut because of a momentary – significant – spike in share prices early in the week, but they've still been strong performers over the past 12 months. Here's my take on whether they offer good value today:
Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) – last traded at $2.75, up 26% for the year
Fortescue shares receive an honorary mention in today's article for their high of $3.29, which they hit soon after open on Tuesday morning on the back of an 18% leap in the value of iron ore overnight. Unfortunately for shareholders, the surge in prices appears to be due to little more than anticipation of rising iron ore demand thanks to Chinese government policy, and not on anything concrete. Fortescue has done a cracking job of driving down costs and its proposed partnership with Brazilian giant Vale SA would also enhance Fortescue's competitive position.
However, its wider industry is one characterised by great uncertainty thanks to falling steel production and demand, which will likely drive iron ore prices lower before steel prices improve. I don't believe Fortescue shares are good value today, and believe they will fall further in the next six months.
Premier Investments Limited (ASX: PMV) – last traded at $14.28, up 20% for the year
Premier investments also receives an honorary mention after shares gapped up on Tuesday morning, trading as high as $15.22 before falling throughout the week. It's uncertain what was behind the rise, although retail shares enjoyed a boost recently after a stronger-than-expected set of economic indicators was released last week. Premier has not yet released its interim results for the first half of 2016 (expected around 23 March), which means there is some uncertainty on how the business has performed. If last year's results are anything to go by however, shareholders can expect a decent half. Smiggle UK was expected to open 16 new stores by Christmas 2015, and Peter Alexander stores have also been gathering momentum.
I expect Premier shares could rise further once the half-year results come in, although they're not exactly cheap at the moment.
Iress Ltd (ASX: IRE) – last traded at $11, up 10% for the year
Iress shares surged most recently after their annual results were released two weeks ago, revealing decent revenue and profit increases as well as a number of new client wins, which could be a gateway to greater profits again in the 2016 financial year. Certainly the stock is priced for it, at 28 times earnings, although with sticky clients and booming growth in Asia, I can see what buyers like about Iress.
Arguably the company is fully priced now and I do not expect shares to rise further without positive news such as outperformance or new client wins.
