Have you missed out on these 10 top stocks in 2014?

Beating the fund managers is easy if you own stocks like Orora Ltd (ASX:ORA) and Pact Group Holdings Ltd (ASX:PGH).

a woman

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

2014 has been a pretty average year for investors with exposure to the ASX 200 or All Ordinaries via an exchange traded fund or similarly diversified portfolio. The indexes are down between 3% and 4% over the 11-and-a-half months of this year, driven by a plunge in the value of energy and resources companies.

Beating the Index (and Fund Managers)

This year it's been a relatively straightforward task to beat the index; those investors that chose to be underweight energy and resources companies had a great chance of significantly outperforming the ASX 200, and therefore many fund managers that track the index.

10 Top Performers in 2014

There are many companies that have soared to new highs in 2014, but three popular sectors that have stood out are healthcare, consumer packaging and transport. Here are 10 companies at 12-month or longer share price highs heading into the last couple of weeks of 2014:

Company Share Price 2014 Return
Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC) $54.59 27%
ResMed Inc. (CHESS) (ASX: RMD) $6.45 22%
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp Ltd (ASX: FPH) $5.77 60%
CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) $85.32 25%
Orora Ltd (ASX: ORA) $1.89 64%
Pact Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: PGH) $4.20 29%
Brambles Limited (ASX: BXB) $10.09 10%
Amcor Limited (ASX: AMC) $12.88 22%
Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) $15.80 47%
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) $12.24 5%

2015 Top Performers?

I doubt that all of the massive returns above can be repeated again in 2015. In particular, the healthcare companies look stretched, however analysts were saying that a year ago too. I still like the packaging companies like Brambles and Amcor that are exposed to global growth, however one must wonder how much technology could change that industry in years to come.

One industry that has been changed forever by the internet is the classified businesses of traditional newspapers. This industry is still changing and the Motley Fool has found a top stock to take advantage of it.

Motley Fool contributor Andrew Mudie does not own shares in any companies mentioned. You can find Andrew on Twitter @andrewmudie

More on ⏸️ Investing

Close up of baby looking puzzled
Retail Shares

What has happened to the Baby Bunting (ASX:BBN) share price this year?

It's been a volatile year so far for the Aussie nursery retailer. We take a closer look

Read more »

woman holds sign saying 'we need change' at climate change protest
ETFs

3 ASX ETFs that invest in companies fighting climate change

If you want to shift some of your investments into more ethical companies, exchange-traded funds can offer a good option

Read more »

a jewellery store attendant stands at a cabinet displaying opulent necklaces and earrings featuring diamonds and precious stones.
⏸️ Investing

The Michael Hill (ASX: MHJ) share price poised for growth

Investors will be keeping an eye on the Michael Hill International Limited (ASX: MHJ) share price today. The keen interest…

Read more »

ASX shares buy unstoppable asx share price represented by man in superman cape pointing skyward
⏸️ Investing

The Atomos (ASX:AMS) share price is up 15% in a week

The Atomos (ASX: AMS) share price has surged 15% this week. Let's look at what's ahead as the company build…

Read more »

Two people in suits arm wrestle on a black and white chess board.
Retail Shares

How does the Temple & Webster (ASX:TPW) share price stack up against Nick Scali (ASX:NCK)?

How does the Temple & Webster (ASX: TPW) share price stack up against rival furniture retailer Nick Scali Limited (ASX:…

Read more »

A medical researcher works on a bichip, indicating share price movement in ASX tech companies
Healthcare Shares

The Aroa (ASX:ARX) share price has surged 60% since its IPO

The Aroa (ASX:ARX) share price has surged 60% since the Polynovo (ASX: PNV) competitor listed on the ASX in July.…

Read more »

asx investor daydreaming about US shares
⏸️ How to Invest

How to buy US shares from Australia right now

If you have been wondering how to buy US shares from Australia to gain exposure from the highly topical market,…

Read more »

⏸️ Investing

Why Fox (NASDAQ:FOX) might hurt News Corp (ASX:NWS) shareholders

News Corporation (ASX: NWS) might be facing some existential threats from its American cousins over the riots on 6 January

Read more »