There is no doubt that the uncertainty surrounding US interest rates and the upcoming federal election could have a massive impact on global equity markets over the next few months.
Although I think it would be a prudent strategy to keep some cash on the sidelines until markets digest these events, the recent sell-off has created some attractive buying opportunities for investors willing to look beyond the short-term volatility.
If I had $10,000 to put to work right now, I would spread it evenly across the following three shares:
Vocus Communications Limited (ASX: VOC)
Vocus shares have trended consistently lower since the start of June and are now hovering around the $7 level – a 26% decline from their 52-week high of $9.51. It appears the market has lost some confidence in the telecommunications company, despite recording a strong, albeit hard to analyse, full year result. Nevertheless, the recent pull-back sees the shares trade on an attractive discount to its main peer, TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPM), and yet, it still offers a similar growth profile.
Healthscope Ltd (ASX: HSO)
Healthscope is a largely defensive business and could provide some protection for investors should the markets take a beating over the next few months. The private hospital operator delivered a solid full year result, although earnings growth is expected to accelerate over the next few years as the company realises the benefits from the huge investments it is making in expanding its hospital network. While Healthscope shares could not be considered outright cheap (trading at around 27x earnings) they could be considered as an alternative option to the more expensive valuation of Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC).
APN Outdoor Group Ltd (ASX: APO)
The collapse of the APN Outdoor share price has been well documented, although it appears as though the shares now offer a pretty attractive investment opportunity. While the recent profit downgrade was disappointing, the longer term investment proposition around the outdoor advertising sector remains intact and, as highlighted here, it is still probably the most attractive of all the advertising markets. Importantly for investors, much of the heat has now been taken out of the shares and they currently trade on a reasonable price-to-earnings ratio of around 15.
