The Sharetrader "Top 5" contains three stocks (A2 Milk, Oceania Healthcare and Plexure) that are also picked by other brokers as their top 2020 picks.

• A2 has been an NZX 'darling' for over two years, as it continues its growth journey in China. Its also now making strong inroads into the US market for fresh milk, likely underpinning growth and returns expectations for 2020.

• Oceania is one of 5 NZX-listed retirement shares, a sector that is in demand right now for consistency of returns and a strengthening property market. The currently ongoing takeover of Metlifecare has enhance the attractiveness of this sector.

• Plexure Group has been a quiet, although explosive, performer for the last 2 years, with a rise in share price from $0.24 to $0.76 in that period. The digital marketing company has a close affiliation with McDonald's, who became a cornerstone shareholder during 2019.

The other two stocks (Blis Technology and Serko) are not well-covered by brokers, and are unique to the Sharetrader community, rightly or wrongly. Blis, a manufacturer and marketer of specialist probiotic throat medicines, has been on the the NZX for a long time, but recorded a small maiden profit during 2019, with a corresponding increase in share price. Serko has a global footprint in the provision of corporate travel and booking software, with a growing presence in the major US market. A deal late in 2019 saw Booking.com take a major stake in the company, underpinning significant share price returns late in the year.

For both companies, the consensus outlook seems focused on continued international growth during 2020, with possible acquisition interest in Serko acting to underpin its share price.