A month can be a long time when looking at the share price of a particular stock. Here are two companies that have come out of the last 30 days at opposite ends of the profit/loss spectrum…
1. SuperGroup
The share price of SuperGroup (LSE: SGP) has advanced by nearly 37% during the last four weeks or so. This is in part, perhaps, on the back of its preliminary year-end results, released on 11July.
The clothing manufacturer reported a 15% rise in sales growth for the last year, and a 25% rise in profits. Reasons for this sharp increase can be attributed to a few key factors. The group saw success with its new women’s range and, more importantly, saw an increase of around 28% on its online sales. Online now makes up approximately 11% of total sales, compared to 10% in 2012. It also reported on its rapid growth, where we saw 56 new international franchised and licensed stores open, taking the total to 162. There was also growth reported a little closer to home, with the square footage in the UK and Europe rising by 14% to 536,000.
CEO Julian Dunkerton commented:
“The enduring appeal of the Superdry brand and the improvements and extensions to the ranges, in particular the progress made in womenswear, gives me confidence that there are significant opportunities for growth across all channels and geographies. I am pleased by the performance of 2013 ranges and the early reaction to 2014 product and remain confident in the prospects for the Group.”
2. G4S
In stark contrast, the shares of G4S (LSE: GFS) have fallen by a rather alarming 14% to around 208p.
This may have been due to reports that emerged earlier this month, detailing allegations that both G4S and Serco may have been overcharging the government for tagging criminals since 2005. The reports claimed that both security firms were charging for tagging people who were not being monitored and, in some cases, were actually deceased.
Following this news, G4S withdrew from the bidding of a new tagging contract, worth a reported £1bn. This isn’t the first time that the firm has made the news for the wrong reasons, with ex-CEO Nick Buckles eventually standing down following the Olympics fiasco in the summer.
Another two potential winners
And here are two other stocks that we think will not only have a good month, but a great year. You can download our detailed investment report on each, absolutely FREE. One is Our Top Growth Stock for 2013, and the other Our Top Income Stock for 2013. Make sure you read these before you buy your next stock, whatever style of investor you are!
> Chris does not own any share mentioned in this article.
