Investors who bravely dived into the Aussie share market at the depths of the Global Financial Crisis are sitting on some enormous profits right now.
Since the S&P/ASX 200 Index (INDEXASX: XJO) bottomed out at around 3,070 points in March 2009, it has risen a remarkable 81% – and that's not even including dividends paid along the way. It really does go to show you that investors who choose to not follow the market and stay truthful to their long-term goals are the big winners in the long run.
However, there are a number of stocks which have delivered far greater results than that of the market itself. Here are four stocks you'll wish you bought back then…
- Greencross Limited (ASX: GXL): Early in 2009, Greencross was just a small player in Australia's growing pet industry. At the time, shares were trading at just 60 cents apiece. A lot has changed since then… Greencross now controls an estimated 7.5% of the total Australian pet care market with a market cap of $1.1 billion. Shares are also trading 1,600% higher at $10.19.
- REA Group Limited (ASX: REA): Since trading at just $3.70 in March 2009, it's hard to believe the online real estate group has now become one of Australia's largest companies with a market capitalisation of $6 billion and a share price of $46.55 – a massive 1,160% return (again, not including dividends). Trading on a P/E ratio of 38x, investors are still expecting it to climb much higher in the years to come.
- TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPM): Although the telecommunications giant is sitting well below its 52-week high of $6.85 at just $5.67, it has still managed to jump a remarkable 264% since listing in late 2009.
- My Net Fone Limited (ASX: MNF): Given that the telecommunications wholesaler and VOIP retailer has grown an astonishing 4,533% since March 2009 and still boasts a market cap of just $168 million. It's perhaps unfair to say you'll wish you bought it back then – it's highly unlikely you'd have even have heard of it! Regardless, it is still shaping up as an attractive buy today.
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Of course, being able to tell where you should have put your money in the past is a lot easier than being able to pick the big winners of the future. If you ask me, stocks like Nearmap Limited (ASX: NEA) and Cash Converters International Ltd (ASX: CCV) are all well positioned to deliver market-beating returns in the years ahead.
