Which are the 3 most watched NZX stocks of 2021?

Highlights

• The stock price of a company is in constant variation from the time the market opens to the time the market closes. 
• Mainfreight’s NPAT increased 79.4% to $130.8 million for the 6 months ended 30 September 2021.
• Infratil reported the largest net surplus in its 27-year history for the half-year ended 30 September 2021.

The stock price of a company constantly wavers from the time the market opens to the time the market closes. The changes in stock prices are due to demand and supply imbalance.   

If investors demand more of a particular stock than sell, the stock price goes up and vice versa. The question is what makes an investor select or unselect a particular stock for their portfolio.  

Any breaking news update, a shareholder meeting, management changes can affect an investor’s perspective of the stock and can, in turn, impact the stock’s price. 

Amid this backdrop, let’s take a look at the 3 most watched NZX stocks in 2021.

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Mainfreight Limited (NZX:MFT)   

Mainfreight is a global supply chain firm. It declared encouraging half-year earnings for half-year ended 30 September 2021. MFT’s sales soared by 41.4% to $2.27 billion and NPAT grew 79.4% to $130.8 million for the period.  

MFT paid an interim dividend of 55cps on 17 December 2021. 

DO READ: Mainfreight (NZX:MFT): How did its supply chain business fare? 

High air and sea freight prices and elevated freight levels enhanced the Group's air and ocean revenue. The current level of activity and growth is expected to continue throughout the company's global network for the duration of the fiscal year and into the next year. 

On 24 December, MFT ended the trading session flat at $91. 

Infratil Limited (NZX:IFT; ASX:IFT)   

An investor in the energy, infrastructure and transport sector, Infratil reported a net parent surplus from continuing operations of $1.086 billion, the largest in its 27-year history, for the 6 months ended 30 September 2021.  

ALSO READ: How are 5 NZX infrastructure stocks faring amid declining building activity? 

The business performed sharply and exhibited strength with the financial result sustained by the sale of Tilt Renewables. 

IFT reported a 28.2% increase in EBITDA and expects it to be between $500 million to $530 million for the year to 31 March 2022. The Group will pay an interim dividend of 6.5cps by 23 December 2021. 

On 24 December, IFT ended the trading session at $8, up 0.63% from its previous close.

Fletcher Building Limited (NZX:FBU; ASX:FBU) 

Fletcher, involved in the manufacturing of building products, reported solid revenue of $8.1 billion with net earnings of $305 million in FY21. The Group gained from a solid residential market in NZ, but its operations were affected in Australia. 

RELATED READ: Fletcher (NZX:FBU): Would the Company perform well in upcoming results? 

The Board paid a total dividend of 30cps for the period. The Group remains positive about the current impetus and future performance. However, it is still navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Group has a target of an EBIT margin of 10% by FY23. 

On 24 December, FBU ended the trading session at $7.13, up 0.42% from its previous close. 

Bottom Line 

Investors keep track of stocks to make informed investment decisions.