In this article I will name three different companies of varying sizes that I would buy with any available cash. Biotech CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) is the blue-chip in the list and as such I would allocate $15,000 to this stock. The company has an outstanding history of delivering shareholder returns. Adjusting for a three for one stock split in 2007, its share price has risen 2,333% since 1 April 1999.
The stock is down about 7.5% since the release of its results for 2016 which were impacted by losses from Seqirus, its flu vaccine division. However, management is confident of turning Seqirus around and the FDA has recently approved various new products in the core CSL Behring division so the group looks to have a bright long-term future.
CSL delivered underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) at constant currency of US$1.5 billion in 2016, or $2 billion at current exchange rates. The company has a market capitalisation of just under $50 billion and so the stock trades on a historical price-to-earnings ratio (PER) of about 25.
Niche insurer CBL CORP FPO NZ (ASX: CBL) is a midcap and so I would allocate $10,000 to it. The company has made a strong start to listed life with its shares up 80% since it debuted in October 2015. However, the rise has largely been driven by profit growth and so in my view the shares remain reasonably priced.
For the first half of 2016 CBL reported an operating profit uplift of 45% compared to the first half of 2015. The second half of the year is typically stronger and so the company could deliver NZ$80 million operating profit in 2016 translating to $45 million NPAT at current exchange rates.
CBL has a market capitalisation of $637.1 million and so it is trading on a forward PER of 14 which is low relative to the company's growth profile. Furthermore, it is in the process of acquiring Securities and Financial Solutions Europe SA (SFS) which would add a further €8.2 million to operating earnings.
Dental restoratives manufacturer SDI Limited (ASX: SDI) is the baby of the group with a market capitalisation of $92.7 million. Therefore, I would allocate just $5,000 to the stock.
The business is led by Samantha Cheetham, daughter of founder Jeffery who still owns 46% of the company. The Cheethams run SDI with a long-term focus typical of founder-led companies demonstrated by their commitment to investing heavily in R&D. As a result of this farsightedness, SDI is experiencing improving profit margins as its sales mix shifts from generic amalgam fillings to differentiated composites, glass ionomers and whitening products.
SDI reported NPAT of $7.6 million in 2016 and the stock currently trades on a historical PER of 12. This is low for a growing defensive business with world class products and so in my opinion the stock is good value despite rising 75% since April 2016.
