Aviva (LSE: AV), GlaxoSmithKline(LSE: GSK),Standard Chartered(LSE: STAN) and NEXT(LSE: NXT) are top performers in 2015, and they may well sit in your diversified portfolio right now but there are a few risks you ought to consider before deciding whether to remain invested or jump ship immediately.
Aviva: Management & Execution Risk
Aviva is in asweet spot, but now that its acquisition of Friends Life has received approval from regulators, its performance will receive even more attention from analysts and investors who must be convincedfrom day oneby flawless execution in deal-making.
The departure of Prudentials chief executive,Tidjane Thiam, who will join Credit Swiss later this year, is also one element that some investors could find disturbing.If you are invested in Aviva, you may well wonder if any of its key managers will be poached by other troubled banking giants.
Aviva management has room forerror and, based on most metrics, the insurers valuation is not demanding, but its stock has rallied (+83%) in the last two years, and thatcertainly makes it less appealing thana few months ago.
Regulatory hurdles could also be a drag on performance.
GlaxoSmithKline: Management & Operational Risk
While virtually everybody expects its troubled respiratory portfolio to return to growth soon, Glaxo is still faced withchallengingmarket conditions in the US.
Furthermore, it looks like its stock has risen (+18% year to date) in anticipation of extraordinary corporate activity, which may or may not lead to apartial spin-off of its HIV drugs business.
The unitcould easily be valued at more than $20bn, and such action would be great news for shareholders.
I am not sure management at GSK is brave enough to actually undertake such a massive deal, a senior pharma analysts pointed out on Monday, however.
Well see how this one goes.
Standard Chartered: Financial & Restructuring Risk
The biggest risk for Standard Chartered shareholders is that the bank may have to issue more than $4bn of new equity to repair its balance sheet.
Thats a short-term risk that, however, could strengthenthe banks balance sheet and render Standard Chartered a stronger financial institution.
Still, a rights issue would command a steep discount toits current valuation, which may knock confidence and increase pressure on the new management team.
The banks shares have rallied 10% in the last four weeks of trading based on expectations that new management will make a difference, and bullish reviews from analysts have also contributed to the surge.
This is a bank in the midst of a comprehensive restructuring, so I would be cautious to invest a large amount of cash in it. Keep an eye on quarterly results to see how the business moves on.
NEXT: Operational & Market Risk
On the one hand, guidance from NEXT highlights a tougher environment for multinationalclothing, footwear and home productsretailers.
On the other, NEXT is trying to manage expectations but results last week were just in line with forecasts, which was not good enough for such a stock market darling!
This retailer is a terrific value proposition yet, if it doesnt accelerate, shareholders may be faced with possible capital losses this year the stock is up 7% this year, and only 8.3% in the last 12 months.
Based on most metrics, the shares are not incredibly expensive, but a strong operational performance is needed for itsshares to rally from their current level.
Although this could be a good opportunity to add exposure for the long term, the risk is that NEXTwill struggle to deliver a stronger performance on a comparable basis in 2015. Trailing figures were strong and wont be easy to beat, while its guidance also suggests caution because sales and pre-tax profit may not grow as fast as in the past few quarters
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Alessandro Pasetti has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended GlaxoSmithKline. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.