Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Register

12 August 2026

Home / 389

24 hot stocks and funds for 2021

There is always doubt about the future, but 2021 will be especially challenging for investing. Equity markets are at stretched valuations as analysts build in optimism about earnings recovery and stimulus in a post-COVID world. The safety of cash and term deposits offers negative real yields, forcing many conservative investors to take on risk they would otherwise avoid. As they seek an elusive combination of defensive market exposure with reasonable yield, they see others enjoying the growth story by buying companies without profits or dividends. Time will tell who wins.

We contacted two dozen fund managers and product providers, and thanks to the following contributors for their views on 2021:

  • Shane Miller, Chi-X Australia
  • Kris Webster, Magellan
  • Sean Fenton, Sage Capital
  • Steven Bennett, Charter Hall Group
  • Tim Canham and Wik Farwerck, First Sentier Investors
  • Aaron Binsted, Lazard Australia
  • Franklin Global Growth Fund team, Franklin Templeton
  • Gemma Dale, nabtrade
  • David Bassanese, BetaShares
  • Michael Murray, Australian Ethical
  • Nandita D’Souza, Citi
  • Perpetual Investments
  • Australian Equities Growth Team, First Sentier Investors
  • Deana Mitchell, Australian Ethical
  • Roger Montgomery, Montgomery Investment Management
  • Peter Bell, Bellmont Securities
  • Jordan Eliseo, The Perth Mint
  • Alex Pollak, Loftus Peak 
  • Jun Bei Liu, Tribeca Investment Partners
  • Marcus Padley, Marcus Today
  • Orbis Investments
  • Vanguard Investments Australia 
  • Adrian Martuccio, Bell Asset Management

We allowed nominations for listed companies, funds or sectors to give a broad range of opportunities, and you should read the recommendations in that context as some people mention their own funds.

Please note, responses were received around mid-December 2020 and some prices may have changed.

Graham Hand

Download here

 

Disclaimer: Highlighting these stock picks does not constitute any offer or inducement by Firstlinks or the contributing individuals and companies to make any investment. This publication is for general information only and has been prepared without considering any person’s objectives, financial situation or needs and you should therefore consider the appropriateness of the information, in light of your own objectives, financial situation or needs, before acting.

Refer to our Financial Services Guide (FSG) for more information at www.morningstar.com.au/s/fsg.pdf.

To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product's future performance.

 

  •   6 January 2021
  • 5
  •      
  •   
5 Comments
George
January 06, 2021

It will be interesting to see the winners and losers from this list in a year. So often, recommendations are made and there is no back-check. Let's hold the forecasts accountable.

Dane
January 07, 2021

I really like Cuffelinks but you would serve yourself well if you refrained from publishing market/asset class return forecasts, which are nothing more than guesses. A large body of evidence suggests they are close to worthless. Admittedly fundies will never day "I dont know' when asked about the future but we shouldn't be enablers. lol.

Mic smith
January 30, 2021

Part of the problem here is that FirstLinks has given a forum to Fund Manager who want to pump the stocks they already own. These guys are doing well enough with their average 1% of assets commission plus usually 20% of benchmark "out performance". They do not need any further help from Firstlinks - or anyone else.

Graham Hand
January 30, 2021

Hi Mic, fair comments, but in the overall balance of its content, Firstlinks devotes relatively little space to stock picking as we prefer to give our readers enduring investment ideas. But the fact is that readers like stock picks, and these articles are highly popular. Little wonder some publications devote their entire content to stock picking, accepting (or ignoring) including the downside you identify of fund managers pumping up their own picks. Doesn't seem to bother them or their readers.

Mic Smith
February 14, 2021

Hi Graham,
Mic here again. Your point that readers love stock picks may well be correct. However your job is to educate readers. There is a whole "finance industry" out there, which when you look objectively, much of it is no more that a predator on the ignorant and gullible. This is what the Hayne Royal Commission was all about attempting to fix. If First Links wants to maintain a position as a genuine credible objective entity that helps the ordinary Australian with its finances, then First Links must do better. Please, start by calling out conflicts of interest.

 

Leave a Comment:

RELATED ARTICLES

400th Edition Special: 45 of the best investment ideas

Hot stocks and funds for 2021

Firstlinks is sponsored by:
banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Does your will qualify for the discretionary testamentary trust exemption?

Treasury has confirmed the exemption many families were hoping for. But buried in the fine print are two conditions that could leave some wills on the wrong side of the exemption, despite years of careful planning.

Ranking three common retirement strategies

The defining challenge of retirement isn't just about building wealth, it's about converting your lifetime savings into sustainable income. A holistic understanding of different strategies can improve long-term outcomes.

Are you making these SMSF mistakes?

After four decades advising investors, there are a few common mistakes I've seen SMSF investors make. From holding too much cash and chasing yield to overtrading and trusting tips. Are these errors costing you?

Australia has saved $4.5 trillion for retirement. Here's what matters more

Most Australians approaching retirement can tell you the exact dollar value of their super account. But success depends on more than a sizeable balance. Here's four key questions to ask yourself at the start of the financial year. 

Lithium's latest drop and what it means for ASX investors

Lithium's latest sell-off has punished ASX miners as prices remain hostage to shifting expectations. The key challenge is navigating a market prone to extreme volatility despite a strong case for the long-term demand outlook.

Retirement spending is not one-size-fits-all

New data challenges the idea that Australians are underspending their super. The bigger issue may be helping retirees navigate complexity, make confident decisions and use their savings to support security, wellbeing and choice.

Latest Updates

Retirement

Will you run out of money in retirement?

Fear of running out has become a defining retirement anxiety. Why do some retirees die with substantial wealth while others deplete their nest egg? Evidence suggests the answer is more complicated than we think. 

Investing

The investment that sidesteps the new tax traps

Tax rules have changed, but many investors are still using yesterday’s strategies. Insurance bonds may offer advantages for those seeking greater control, tax efficiency and certainty about their wealth.

Shares

The role of shareholder yield in a portfolio

Investors may be overlooking a timeless source of returns in a volatile market. The companies that consistently generate and return cash to shareholders have often proved remarkably resilient through uncertainty.

Shares

Australian inflation still well above the RBA's target

The RBA has spent more than three decades pursuing its 2%-3% inflation target. But the numbers tell a far more complicated story than the headlines. The results may surprise both its strongest critics and most loyal defenders.

Retirement

Retirement in reality - 5 months in

Retirement planning doesn't end when work does. Five months in, Joanne reflects on retiring at a different time to your spouse, coping with setbacks and the importance of rest. Some lessons only become clear after the fact.

Latest from Morningstar

What 6 key market indicators are telling investors right now

Are markets still expensive? There are the seven key indicators every investor needs to know. From gold and equities to bonds, oil, bitcoin and the US dollar. The data reveals where opportunities and risks may lie for investors today.

Investing

Can you ride the AI bubble without overpaying?

AI may prove as transformative as the internet, but markets are behaving as if success is guaranteed. As capital races towards unprecedented levels, investors should ask whether enthusiasm is getting ahead of reality.

Sponsors

Alliances

  • ASA-Logo-RGB-ActiveGreen-web.png

Site Map

About Firstlinks

© 2026 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.