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What are the best shares to buy in 2020?

Analysts offer their COVID-19 market crash and recession-proof stock picks.

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Kylie Purcell
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Important note

There's no single share that's best for all investors as all our needs are different - and what's best for you might not be best for someone else. No-one can say for certain which direction stocks will go; these are investment ideas only and should not be taken as financial advice.

Looking to stock up on good quality companies during the market volatility? With the COVID-19 pandemic likely to have a long-lasting impact on global economies, it's not easy picking which companies are the best investments for 2020 – or which should be avoided.

So we spoke to stock analysts Michael Wayne from Medallion Financial and Bell Direct's Jessica Amir to get their views on which stocks are worth considering over the next 12 months.

Remember! Stocks are risky and unpredictable – a stock that's right for one person, might not be the best choice for you. That's part of what makes investing in the stock market both challenging and exciting!

Bargain buys

During a major stock market crash, most company shares will fall, so savvy investors will be looking to scoop up good quality stocks at discount prices. According to Wayne, some of these top bargains are likely to be found in the financial and travel sectors.

He told Finder investors should look out for quality financial businesses that have seen prices fall over 30% from their heights as well as travel-related companies that are expected to recover once quarantine measures lift.

"Financial market facing businesses get hammered during periods of market turmoil. Once trading conditions normalise, prices tend to stabilise and recover quickly."

Wayne's stock picks: Macquarie Group, Magellan Financial Group, Sydney Airport Holdings, IDP Education.

Recession-proof

Investors should prepare for the possibility of an extended recession according to Amir. If we do see a deep global recession, consumer staple companies such as food and beverage retailers are expected to be among the safest.

"Thinking about what’s needed regardless of economic growth slowing, regardless of Coronavirus (which will pass)," said Amir.

"Take note of the good news that is coming out amid corona. Who is staying on track to meet their earnings forecast and why?"

Amir's stock picks: Coles Group, Woolworths Group, Metcash, Telstra, AGL Energy.

Shares to watch in 2020

1. Macquarie Group (ASX. MQG)6. Coles Group (ASX:COL)
2. Magellan Financial Group (ASX:MFG)7. Metcash (ASX:MTS)
3. Sydney Airport Holdings (ASX: SYD)8. AGL Energy Ltd (ASX:AGL)
4. IDP Education (ASX:IEL)9. Telstra (ASX:TLS)
5. Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX:WOW)10. The Reject Shop (ASX:TRS)

1. Macquarie Group (ASX. MQG)

Macquarie Group is a major Australian investment bank and financial services company with operations around the world.

  • Blue chip financial sector company
  • Financials expected to rise once volatility ends
  • Trading 34% below February peak (April 10, 2020)
  • High annual dividend of $5 per share (2019)

2. Magellan Financial Group (ASX:MFG)

Magellan is an Australian funds management firm that offers investment funds to retail and institutional investors primarily in Australia and New Zealand.

  • Financial sector company and investment manager
  • Annual dividend of $2.04/share (2019)
  • Trading 30% below February's peak (April 10, 2020)
  • Financial companies expected to rise once crisis eases

3. Sydney Airport Holdings (ASX: SYD)

Sydney Airport Holdings is the owner and operator of Australia's busiest airport, Sydney's international Kingsford Smith airport located in Mascot.

  • Travel and transportation sector stock
  • Good quality travel stocks expected to rise once quarantine ends
  • Trading over 37% below December peak (10 April, 2020)
  • Annual dividend $0.39 per share (2019)

4. IDP Education (ASX:IEL)

IDP Education is an educational sector business engaged in the placement of international students into universities and schools in Australia, US, UK, Canada and New Zealand.

  • Consumer services and educational sector business
  • Stocks that rely on travel expected to rise once quarantine ends
  • Trading 40% below February peak (April 10, 2020)
  • Annual dividend of $0.24/share

5. Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX:WOW)

Woolworths Group operates major consumer stores and supermarkets in Australia, New Zealand and India. Along with Big W stores and Woolworths supermarkets, it operates food, beverage and hotel segments.

  • Food and retail sector stock
  • Supermarket and staple food stocks typically well placed to weather a recession
  • Trading 19% below February peak (April 10, 2020)
  • Fully franked annual dividend of $1.03 per share (2019)

6. Coles Group (ASX:COL)

Coles Group is an Australian company that operates supermarkets and retail stores. Its business segments include Coles Supermarkets, Coles Liquor, Flybuys, Coles Financial Services and Spirit Hotels.

  • Food and retail sector stock
  • Supermarket and staple food stocks typically better placed to weather a recession
  • Trading 8% below February peak (April 10, 2020)
  • Last paid dividend was $0.3/per share (fully franked) on February 27, 2020

7. Metcash (ASX:MTS)

Major Australian retail and supermarket conglomerate better known for its businesses such as IGA, Mitre 10, Timber & Harware and liquor chains including Cellarbrations, IGA liquor and The Bottle O.

  • Food and retail distribution sector stock
  • Supermarket and staple food stocks typically better placed to weather a recession
  • Trading 15% below March peak (April 10, 2020)
  • Annual dividend of $0.13/per share fully franked (2019)

8. AGL Energy Ltd (ASX:AGL)

Australian energy company engaged in distributing natural gas, electricity, solar and energy efficiency products to consumer and wholesale markets.

  • Utility and renewable power sector stock
  • Utility stocks typically better placed to weather a recession
  • Trading 17% below February peak (April 10, 2020)
  • Annual dividend of $1.11/per share (2019)

9. Telstra (ASX:TLS)

Major Australian telecommunications company and provider of mobile and fixed broadband, pay TV and digital content services.

  • Major telecommunications sector stock
  • Staple blue chips such as major telcos expected to better weather a recession
  • Trading 19% below Janurary peak (April 10, 2020)
  • Annual dividend of $0.1/per share (2019)

10. The Reject Shop (ASX:TRS)

The Reject Shop is an Australian retailer of discount variety merchandise, including toiletries, homewares, personal care products, household cleaning products, kitchenware, leisure items and snack foods.

  • Retail trade and specialty store company
  • Discount stores often viewed as "recession-proof"
  • Trading 40% below January peak (April 10, 2020)
  • Reports it has started to receive stock again from Chinese suppliers and its sales are up 6% in second half so far (April 10).

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Buy shares through an online broker

To buy shares you'll need to find a broker. You can use the table below to compare online brokers (also known as share trading platforms) available in Australia.

Data updated regularly
Name Product Standard brokerage fee Inactivity fee Markets International
eToro (global stocks)
eToro (global stocks)
US$0
US$10 per month if there’s been no login for 12 months
Global shares, US shares, ETFs
Yes
Zero brokerage share trading on US, Hong Kong and European stocks with trades as low as $50.
Note: This broker offers CFDs which are volatile investment products and most clients lose money trading CFDs with this provider.
Join the world’s biggest social trading network when you trade stocks, commodities and currencies from the one account.
Go to site
More Info
IG Share Trading
IG Share Trading
$8
$50 per quarter if you make fewer than three trades in that period
ASX shares, Global shares
Yes
$0 brokerage for US and global shares plus get an active trader discount of $5 commission on Australian shares.
Enjoy some of the lowest brokerage fees on the market when trading Australian shares, international shares, plus get access to 24-hour customer support.
Go to site
More Info
Superhero share trading
Superhero share trading
$5
No
ASX shares, US shares
Yes
Australia’s lowest-cost broker for ASX shares and ETFs.
Pay zero brokerage on US stocks and all ETFs and just $5 (flat fee) to trade Australian shares from your mobile or desktop.
Go to site
More Info
ThinkMarkets Share Trading
ThinkMarkets Share Trading
$8
No
ASX shares
No
Limited-time offer: Get 10 free ASX trades ($0 brokerage) when you open a share trading account with ThinkMarkets(T&Cs apply).$8 flat fee brokerage for CHESS Sponsored ASX stocks (HIN ownership), plus free live stock price data on an easy to use mobile app.
Go to site
More Info
Saxo Capital Markets (Classic account)
Saxo Capital Markets (Classic account)
$5
No
ASX shares, Global shares, Forex, CFDs, Margin trading, Options trading, ETFs
Yes
Access 19,000+ stocks on 40+ exchanges worldwide
Low fees for Australian and global share trading, no inactivity fees, low currency conversion fee and optimised for mobile.
Go to site
More Info
CMC Markets Invest
CMC Markets Invest
$11
No
ASX shares, Global shares, mFunds, ETFs
Yes
$0 brokerage on global shares including US, UK and Japan markets.
Trade up to 9,000 products, including shares, ETFs and managed funds, plus access up to 15 major global and Australian stock exchanges.
Go to site
More Info
HSBC Online Share Trading
HSBC Online Share Trading
$19.95
No
ASX shares, mFunds, ETFs, Bonds
No
Limited time offer: Get up to $100 in brokerage rebates on your first 5 trades when you sign up to a HSBC Online Share Trading account (T&Cs apply). Make trades online with brokerage fees starting from just $19.95 with an HSBC Online Share Trading account. Plus gain access to complimentary expert research, trading ideas and tools.
Go to site
More Info
Bell Direct Share Trading
Finder Award
Bell Direct Share Trading
$15
No
ASX shares, mFunds, ETFs
No
Invest in Australian shares, options and managed funds from the one account with no inactivity fee.
Bell Direct offers a one-second placement guarantee on market-to-limit ASX orders or your trade is free, plus enjoy extensive free research reports from top financial experts.
Go to site
More Info
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Compare up to 4 providers

Important: Share trading can be financially risky and the value of your investment can go down as well as up. Standard brokerage is the cost to purchase $1,000 or less of equities without any qualifications or special eligibility. Where both CHESS sponsored and custodian shares are offered, we display the cheapest option.

Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, options or any specific provider, service or offering. It should not be relied upon as advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks, ETFs and options trading involve substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before making any trades.

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Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, CFDs, options or any specific provider, service or offering. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks, ETFs and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Trading CFDs and forex on leverage comes with a higher risk of losing money rapidly. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before making any trades.

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