Generation Y has not been well-known for its share market investing prowess – yet.
But give them time, this shrewd generation of go-getters are just coming into their own and those looking to get a share portfolio set up should consider these 5 shares to kick off their investing career.
Bravura Solutions Ltd (ASX: BVS)
This smart, sleek software company has got everything a fast-paced Generation Y'er is looking for – including a price graph that boasts a 133% increase in share price in the last 12 months.
Bravura looks to be a buy and hold type option, albeit still a speculative one at this point, but its early successes are certainly a good indication of where it intends to be in the future – on top.
With a suite of products aimed at the wealth management and funds administration sector, Bravura has already made significant inroads across several global markets, including Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
According to investment advisory firm Wilsons, Bravura is still a good buy, despite its rocketing share price, with the broker confident its FY20 forecasts will increase, placing a $3.26 price target on the stock that sits exactly on point at the time of writing up 0.3% to $3.26.
One to watch, possibly one to buy.
Meridian Energy Ltd (ASX: MEZ)
Generation Y is an environmentally-conscious bunch, genuinely concerned about global warming and related issues.
So it makes sense that renewables companies like Meridian Energy Ltd are on their watchlist – a New Zealand player who is showing some interesting progress.
Meridian's April report showed hydro storage increased from 113% to 121% while electricity demand continues to surge alongside customer connection numbers and retail sales volumes.
Meridian shares have had a volatile 12 months, which could give interested investors a possible in on the next downtrend.
There are plenty of other renewables player to choose from, with big-time AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL) dominating the hydro, wind, landfill gas, solar and biomass space and wind farm company Infigen Energy Ltd (ASX: IFN) one to do some due diligence on.
Renewables is unquestionably one of the biggest investment megatrends on the horizon – so Gen Y-ers who want to be ahead of the pack need to look closely into offerings in this sector.
Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)
Financial services company Hub24 Ltd is one way to include a growing fintech share in your portfolio, with its shares reaching a 52-week high in late May when its share price hit $15.08.
Hub24 shares are at $13.70 at the time of writing, but Hub recently reported its strongest third-quarter net inflows in April with growth of 42% on the previous corresponding period and $7.4 billion funds under management (FUM).
Fintech peer Praemium Ltd (ASX: PPS) recently announced a contract extension for major client JBWere, which has an annual value of more than $1 million.
Praemium FUM is at $7.8 billion as at the end of March and its shares were up almost 2% to 78c per share at the time of writing – rising from just 37c per share at this time last year.
Freedom Foods Group Ltd (ASX: FNP)
Organic foods are also on the radar of the smashed avocado generation, so it makes sense that a share like diversified food company Freedom Foods might register as an interest.
Freedom is asserting itself globally in the health and wellness sector through its range of edible offerings and its share price has increased steadily for the last 12 months to land at $5.73 at the time of writing, up from $4.65 one year ago.
Freedom looks to be a solid long-term investment option, given that its success overseas is yet to come to a head as the global demand for quality health food goods is rapidly rising.
Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: CUV)
No well-diversified Gen Y share portfolio would be complete without a biotech company, and while most will consider CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) to be on the expensive side, emerging players like Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals could be a consideration.
This $570 million market cap company appears to be kicking goals of late, with its focus on drugs for severe skin disorders gaining traction as Clinuvel manages to report positive cash flow of $230,000 for the quarter ending March 31, 2018, despite continued research and development efforts for its novel drug SCENESSE.
Clinuvel looks to operate in a financially disciplined manner and labels itself a "pioneer" in the photomedicine space.
One to watch for sure.
