It seems like every day, cataclysmic news headlines tell us that billions are being wiped off the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).
It's pretty difficult to look at your share portfolio at times like these. But it is important to remember that – unless you have a dire need for liquidity – it's never a good idea to sell into a falling market. The better strategy is to diversify into other sectors of the market to try and seek out what growth opportunities do exist and ease some of your portfolio's volatility.
And there are two key areas of the market that are continuing to hold up despite the global selloffs. The first is healthcare; companies like ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD), CSL Limited (ASX: CSL), Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp Ltd (ASX: FPH) are continuing to deliver gains to their shareholders and are all working to combat the current coronavirus pandemic.
The second group of companies that are rebounding are the supermarket chains. They are proving themselves to be good defensive investments in the current economic downturn. Even as global supply chains are hit and other retailers are closing their doors, supermarkets are relied on by their local communities to support them through the coronavirus panic.
Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)
Originally hit hard during the global market correction over the second half of February, Woolworths shares have rebounded strongly over the last week, up over 16% to $40.44 as at the time of writing.
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, Woolworths has experienced a prolonged period of solid growth in which its share price soared to a 52-week high of $43.96. These gains were driven by a solid underlying performance: for first half FY20, Woolworths reported a 6% growth in sales from continuing operations to $32.4 billion (against first half FY19), as well as a 16% uplift in net profit after tax (NPAT) from continuing operations to $979 million.
Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)
While the Coles share price also plummeted in late February, it has outperformed Woolworths more recently. Over the last week, Coles shares have gained over 20% and, as at the time of writing, are trading at a 52-week high of $17.78. The Coles share price surged after it was reported that the company would be hiring 5,000 extra casual staff to help restock its shelves.
Excluding revenues from fuel sales and hotels, Coles Group reported revenue growth of a little over 3% to $18.8 billion for first half FY20, while NPAT was flat at $489 million after adjusting for the financial impacts of the new leasing accounting standard.
Metcash Limited (ASX: MTS)
The Metcash share price has skyrocketed recently, jumping from the 52-week low of $2.17 it posted on 13 March to its current price of $3.20. Metcash is a conglomerate which owns – among other brands – the IGA, Foodland and Friendly Grocer supermarket chains.
Metcash's results for the first half FY20 weren't as strong as its two larger competitors, with underlying profit after tax falling almost 5% to $95.7 million even prior to adjusting for the deleterious impacts of the new leasing accounting standard. However, as a smaller company, Metcash has greater room to expand, which is why growth-hungry investors are flocking to it and pushing up its share price.
