It's been a volatile year for Australian share market investors…
Iron ore, our most lucrative commodity, has fallen over 50%. Taking our biggest miners BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) down 24% and 18%, respectively.
The oil price also collapsed which has wreaked havoc on promising companies like Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) – down 43% since January 2.
But after falling to 5,050 points in February and peaking at 5,679 in September, the S&P/ASX 200 (ASX: XJO) (INDEX: ^AXJO) appears likely to end the year slightly ahead. For net buyers (i.e. those who are building up their portfolio) it means we're in a very similar position to where we were almost a year ago.
And as 2015 approaches, investors will no doubt have their eye on a number of the ASX's most promising companies.
Here are four of my favourite growth stocks for 2015 and beyond…
- Ardent Leisure Group (ASX: AAD) owns Goodlife Health Clubs, AMF and Kingpin Bowling, Dreamworld and more. Whilst the company's share price has risen 45% in 2014, 2015 is also looking bright. With its Main Event business growing rapidly in the US and a 4.7% dividend on offer, there's reasons to be bullish on Ardent Leisure in the short and long terms.
- XERO FPO NZ (ASX: XRO) is down a painful 50% since the beginning of the year. Although not yet profitable, the New Zealand-born $1.8 billion cloud accounting software provider holds a lot of potential. Recently the company passed 400,000 paying customers worldwide.
- Slater & Gordon Limited (ASX: SGH) is Australia's premier personal injury law firm. However the group is expanding into the highly fragmented UK market as well as into general legal services locally. Despite a strong performance in 2014, if it continues to grow strongly in the UK, today's price will look cheap.
- Carsales.Com Ltd (ASX: CRZ) is a name familiar to many Australians. Whilst its rapid growth in Australia may be behind it, the company continues to grow into booming international markets with its iCar Asia, SKENCARSALES (Korea) and Webmotors (Brazil) internet businesses growing strongly in 2014. It also offers a 3.3% fully franked dividend.
