The S&P/ASX 200 is up 51.4 points to 6,295 at the time of writing and these three stocks are flying into the weekend at the top of their game – hitting 52-week share price highs.
Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN)
Financial services conglomerate Suncorp Group Ltd shares are at a 52-week high at the time of writing – up 0.6% to $15.07.
According to The Australian Financial Review, respected veteran funds manager Matt Williams of Airlie Funds Management believes the market could re-rate Suncorp if it can demonstrate its strength in the general insurance business.
According to the article, Williams believes once Suncorp completes the sale of its life insurance division, the market will be better able to appreciate its general insurance offerings – operating under the AAMI, GIO and APIA brands.
Suncorp reiterated its FY19 financial targets back in May, reaffirming its focus on simplifying services for customers and working on its customer-facing online portal.
There's plenty of hope the good times will roll on for Suncorp for the short to medium term, and its last year of share pricing has most-likely reinvigorated sentiment for many investors.
Ansell Limited (ASX: ANN)
Shares in global health and safety protection solutions company Ansell Limited have risen 30% in the last 12 months to land at a 52-week share price high today – up 1.6% to $29.52.
Credit Suisse named Ansell as a sell back in April with an underperform rating on the stock and a price target of between $21.75 and $23.60.
But its share price has come a long way since April and many investors would be kicking themselves if they sold out back then.
Earlier this week UBS increased its 12-month price target on Ansell from $25 to $27.45, no doubt impressed the stock was heading toward three-year highs.
There's been little news out of the company of late and many investors will be keen to hold onto their shares until Ansell hands down its FY18 results on August 20.
Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)
Gold production and exploration company Northern Star Resources shares have slipped back slightly from yesterday's 52-week high of $7.36, down 0.4% to $7.32 at the time of writing.
Northern Star's share price has been on a pretty steady incline in the last 12 months, rising 62% from its $4.51 share price at this time last year.
Northern Star reported record gold production in the June quarter – well ahead of targets – with FY18 production expected to exceed top end market guidance of between 540,000 oz and 560,000 oz.
For FY19 Northern Star has increased its exploration budget by 33% with the focus on organic growth and continued operational performance.
Other gold players in the news today include Evolution Mining (ASX: EVN) which has dropped down 3.9% to $2.92 off the back of news La Mancha has sold down shares.
