A declining birth rate will affect the ASX in many ways, but the most obvious is a potential hit to companies that make products for Australia's bubs. Especially those companies that cater exclusively for babies.
According to the Federal Government's Centre for Population, Australia's birth rate is projected to average at 1.62 babies per adult female until 2030, making it the lowest birth rate we've ever seen. Comparatively, the highest birth rate for Australian women in this century was 3.5 babies in 1961.
As the birthrate needed to sustain the population (assuming no migration or immigration occurs) is 2.1 babies per woman, we may well face a future where there just aren't as many babies around.
If you're wondering which companies might want to start considering branching out into different fields, you've come to the right place.
Here are 2 Australian companies that cater exclusively for babies
Bubs Australia Ltd (ASX: BUB)
Bubs Australia is a nutritional company for babies and young children. How will its share price fare if the birth rate drops?
Its products include formula, snacks, cereals and a new line of children's vitamins. Currently, Bubs products are stocked in Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), Chemist Warehouse, Big W, Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN) and selected Australian pharmacies.
At the close of trade today, the Bubs Australia share price was 51 cents, down 15% year to date. Bubs shares are also down 5.56% over the last 12 months.
Bubs Australia has a market capitalisation of around $312 million, with approximately 612 million shares outstanding.
Baby Bunting Group Ltd (ASX: BBN)
The retail group focused solely on products for babies and toddlers up to 3 years of age. Could the Baby Bunting share price drop alongside the birth rate?
The retailer has 50 stores Australia-wide.
The Baby Bunting share price closed at $5.55, up 0.73% today. Year to date, the retailer's shares have seen an increase of 14.6%. Its share price is also up an impressive 220.8% year to date.
Baby Bunting has a market capitalisation of $712.20, with approximately 129 million shares outstanding.
