JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) shares have had a solid year in 2019 and climbed 80% higher. Those gains put the Aussie retailer amongst the top-performing ASX 200 shares for the year.
But with the group's shares trading near a 52-week high right now, is there time to buy in before 2020?
What are the challenges for Aussie retail?
Low interest rates were designed in part to help kickstart the struggling economy this year. The Reserve Bank of Australia slashed rates from 1.50% p.a. to just 0.75% p.a. in the hope of providing an economic boost.
While residential real estate has rebounded on the back of cheap credit, it hasn't been quite the same for the Aussie retail sector.
JB Hi-Fi shares have been climbing higher alongside Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN) on the ASX, but it's not all good news.
Many in the market are bracing for a weak December for retail sales. That could spell trouble for some of the large Aussie retailers, particularly given the already difficult environment.
We've seen a number of Aussie retailers enter voluntary administration or liquidation in recent years, but somehow JB Hi-Fi keeps performing.
The Aussie retailer has continued to see strong earnings including a recent Q1 2020 update that has fuelled JB Hi-Fi shares higher in November and December.
JB Hi-Fi Australia reported Q1 2020 total sales growth of 4.7% and comparable sales growth of 3.7%. JB Hi-Fi New Zealand's figures were also strong, with total sales and comparable sales both up 3.8%.
The retail group also reaffirmed its FY20 guidance at $7.25 billion in sales.
Should you buy JB Hi-Fi shares?
JB Hi-Fi shares closed out the Christmas week at $39.47 per share, just shy of its $39.82 52-week high set on Tuesday.
Despite its lofty valuation, the group's shares are trading at 18.3 times earnings and have a handy 3.60% dividend yield on offer as well.
If you think Aussie retail can rebound in 2020, JB Hi-Fi could be a good value option to buy at the moment.
