With the Paris Olympics providing such a display of sporting excellence, Douglas Scott, co-manager of the Aegon Global Equity Income Fund, shares some of his tips of companies going for glory in the following analysis:
“The Olympics – where athletes defy gravity, national pride soars, and corporate sponsors dream of stock market glory. Despite the first modern Olympics being held in Athens in 1896 the man responsible for the rebirth was a Frenchman called “Pierre”. As the 2024 Paris Olympics are in full flow, let’s peek behind the curtain and see which companies are secretly practicing their victory dances:
“Broadcom* is the unsung hero of connectivity. They’re supplying the chips that power everything from smartphones to smart refrigerators. During the Olympics, their 5G technology will make sure your livestream of rhythmic gymnastics doesn’t glitch. Because nothing ruins a ribbon routine like a frozen screen.
“Microsoft* is the brainiac in the Olympic classroom. They’re providing cloud services, data analytics, and AI to keep the games running smoothly. Word is, they’ve even trained an AI referee for synchronized swimming. It never blinks, never misses a beat and I am sure would award Harry Kane a penalty …
“Pepsi* is all about hydration – and not just for athletes. They’re launching a limited-edition “Gold Medal Cola.” It’s like regular cola, but with extra bubbles of ambition. Plus, they’ve convinced Usain Bolt to endorse it. His tagline? “Quench your thirst, break world records.”
“Samsung* is the official smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches for athletes. Picture gymnasts checking their heart rates mid-flip or swimmers timing their laps underwater. And if a phone accidentally falls into the pool, it’s waterproof up to 10 meters – perfect for synchronized selfie-taking.
“J&J* is the ultimate team player. They’re supplying medical supplies, bandages, and antiseptics. But they’re also thinking ahead. Their new product? Olympic-themed Band-Aids. Imagine a tiny Usain sprinting across your scraped knee. It won’t heal faster, but it’ll boost morale.
“Ahold* is the supermarket to be considered the “most valuable player”. They’re stocking up on energy bars, protein shakes, and electrolyte drinks for athletes. But they’re also catering to fans. Their Olympic-themed snack aisle includes “Gold Medal Gummies” and “Podium Popcorn.”
“These companies are chasing Olympic gold like sprinters on caffeine. Whether it’s streaming, chips, or bandages, they’re all hoping for a podium finish. So, grab your remote, cheer for your favorite athletes, and remember: Investing is a marathon, but the Olympics are a sprint.”
*All stocks listed above are currently held within the Aegon Global Equity Income Fund as at 29.07.24.
