There are several potential investments for 2012 that may surprise you if you happen to be new to investing as a whole. 2011 was a strange and volatile year of growth in most sectors, with some investors having to turn to unexpected companies to invest stocks in. What are some options for you, as someone looking to get into investing?
Yum Brands (YUM) has been seeing huge growth thanks to profits from emerging markets. Yum Brands owns establishments such as Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Kentucky Fried Chicken. These brands have been booming overseas, specifically in China. Kentucky Fried Chicken is the top Western-owned service restaurant in China, and has been established in the country for 20 years. With China’s current growth, Yum Brands is seeing steady growth and stands as one of the best investments for 2012.
The United Parcel Service (UPS) is a solid investment solely in terms of hard numbers as opposed to speculation. UPS stocks trade at around $70, and have an implied upside of 12.6%. The company trades at more than 17 times the speculated price for this year, which looks promising for potential and current investors. Despite increased competition in this field, United Parcel Service continues to grow and the downsizing of the United States Post Office can only help growth and volume in 2012.
Google (GOOG) is a staple of everyday American life, and it is also a staple of anyone looking to invest in the technology sector. Though Google had a small dip in 2010, it has come out strong in 2011 with its mobile business growing as time goes on and should continue well into 2012. Though Google might seem to put forth some strange efforts, the company certainly knows how to come out on top to the delight of its investors as well as its employees.
Cisco Systems (CSCO) is another sound investment to be found in the technology sector. Cisco plays a part in many of the biggest trends in the technology field, and with digital-based distribution and computing becoming a thing of the now instead of the future, Cisco’s future is looking even more optimistic. With that said, the growth over the coming months is speculated to be slow, though steady growth is predicted, with faster growth to be coming after the brief slow period. This makes Cisco Systems one of the best investments going into 2012.
United Technologies (UTX) is another option to consider, with their brand covering a huge range of products. This keeps them safe from huge dips, and ensures steady growth both now and later. 60% of the company’s profit is made within the country, with most of the remainder lying in China’s real estate market. As China urbanizes, United Technologies is set to continue to thrive in both the foreign and home markets. As speculation stands now, this company is looking to have a bright future on all fronts and makes it stand out among investments in 2012.