FY21 has been a positive year for blue chip shares with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rising 20.44%. A great result compared to this time last year when the ASX 200 had plummeted 11 per cent amid the economic impacts of COVID-19.
The index is the benchmark for Australian equity performance as it lists the 200 largest ASX stocks. We take a look at 3 ASX 200 stocks that were growth outliers in FY21.
Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL)
In the past 12 months, the Netwealth share price has shot up more than 76%. As well as more than tripling the ASX 200 index increase, the company has also exceeded the Australian Capital Markets industry which returned 20.8% over the past year.
It seems Netwealth has been riding the perfect storm. In its half-yearly report, the financial services company increased its funds under administration (FUA) for the half by $7.3 billion, or around 23%, taking its total FUA as at 31 December 2020 to $38.8 billion.
In April, Netwealth released its third-quarter update which showed Netwealth's FUA had reached $41.8 billion. An increase of $3 billion or 7.8% since the end of December, including a positive market movement of $0.8 billion.
As of 29 June, investment company BlackRock put the average price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio across the ASX 200 at 24.47. Netwealth's P/E ratio currently sits at 78.53. The Netwealth share price was trading at $16.75 at market close on Thursday.
Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)
The Goodman Group share price increased 34.3% over the past 12 months. The property group also performed well when compared to the real estate investment trust (REIT) industry which returned 24% over the same time.
Goodman is a property services group with a $39 billion market cap. In its half-year results for the six months ended 31 December, the company reported a 16% increase in operating profit to $614.9 million. In addition, demand for its properties were so strong, that the company leased an additional 1.9 million square metres.
Goodman ended the third quarter on a positive note, its earnings results for that period showing a net property income increase of 3.3% and an occupancy rate standing at 98%.
Goodman's P/E ratio currently stands at 22.4 which appears a fair value compared to the index. The Goodman share price closed at $21 on Thursday.
Sonic Healthcare Limited (ASX: SHL)
Sonic Healthcare was another top performer in FY21, returning a solid 24% lift over the last 12 months. This beats the ASX 200 index as well as the Australian healthcare industry which increased over the same period by 18%.
Sonic Healthcare is a global pathology and medical imaging provider. In February, Sonic's half-yearly report was full of positive news including revenue growth of 33% to $4.4 billion, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) growth of 89% to A$1.3 billion and net profit growth of 166% to $678 million.
In June, Sonic took a significant step, by acquiring the Canberra Imaging Group (CIG). The company called this "a positive step" in the development of its imaging division in Australia.
On 30 June, Sonic shares hit an all-time high of $38.51. Despite the growth, Sonic Healthcare is still well-priced according to its P/E ratio of around 19.
The Sonic share price was trading at $38.08 at Thursday's market close.
