Creating a share portfolio for the first time is one of the most exciting and challenging tasks for any new investor, especially when you consider the huge number of shares available on the various share markets around the world.
Along with good stock selections, one of the most important things to factor in when starting a share portfolio is achieving a suitable level of diversification.
Although this will be a difficult task with a portfolio of less than 10-15 shares, new investors can still lower their risk exposure by considering shares from different sectors and industries.
With that in mind, here are four shares from four different sectors that could easily be used as the building blocks for a beginner portfolio:
Financial – Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG)
Magellan not only provides investors with exposure to a leading fund manager, it also gives investors an indirect exposure to international equity markets. The company is founder-led and has a remarkable track record of attracting new fund inflows thanks to its market-leading reputation. With a greater number of Australian investors looking offshore for equity market returns, I expect Magellan will continue to experience healthy levels of fund inflows.
Telecommunications – Vocus Communications Limited (ASX: VOC)
Shares of Vocus have been smashed recently over a boardroom fallout but I think this has created an excellent buying opportunity for longer term investors. The demand for telco services is only expected to gain further pace over the coming years, and although some investors are worried about the impact of the NBN on existing players in the market, this event could also create an opportunity for a more nimble player like Vocus.
Healthcare – ResMed Inc. (CHESS) (ASX: RMD)
ResMed is a global leader in the treatment of sleep disorders and trades on a fairly attractive valuation multiple compared to some of the other companies in the sector. In addition to developing new treatments and products, the company is becoming increasingly focused on improving patient compliance and creating a sustainable recurring revenue base. Importantly, millions of people that could potentially benefit from ResMed's products are yet to be diagnosed and this target market represents a huge growth opportunity moving forward.
Consumer related – Greencross Limited (ASX: GXL)
Australian consumers have been spending a greater proportion of their disposable incomes on their pets and this trend is unlikely to reverse anytime soon. As a market-leading provider of veterinary services and pet care products, Greencross appears to be well placed to benefit from this growing trend. The company is also implementing a smart strategy of co-locating its veterinary clinics inside retail stores to cross-sell and increase the amount of money spent during each transaction.
