Strong pipeline
Shares in specialist technology and engineering company TP Group (LSE: TPG) have risen by over 10% today, after the company continues to enjoy improved investor sentiment following its recent trading update.
With the company reporting just last week that it continued to make good progress in the final quarter of 2015, it now expects results for the full-year to be ahead of expectations. In fact, it anticipates achieving a key target for the year through being breakeven at the adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) level, which would be encouraging progress for the business.
TP Group’s share price is also benefitting from news that two of its directors yesterday purchased around 500,000 shares in the company between them. And with TP Group stating in its results that it has a strong pipeline of opportunities, providing good visibility for the business this year, investor sentiment could continue to pick up following the 30% rise in its share price in the year-to-date.
Clearly, TP Group is a small company and is therefore relatively high risk. However, it could be worth a closer look for less risk-averse investors.
Financially sound
Also rising by over 10% today is Victoria Oil & Gas (LSE: VOG). Like TP Group, it recently reported an upbeat set of results, with the Africa-focused company delivering a 73% increase in production in the final quarter of the year versus the comparable quarter of the previous year. Furthermore, Victoria Oil & Gas continues to be relatively unaffected by the slide in the oil price, reporting that it has had a minimal impact on its Gaz du Cameroun business in terms of gas price changes or customers changing back to oil.
In addition, the company reported that it has been able to maintain customers at their contracted prices and with a net cash position of $5.9m, it could prove to be relatively financially sound during a tough period for the wider industry. However, although the stock may be of interest to less risk-averse investors, with a number of other oil and gas plays being priced to sell, there may be more enticing companies to buy elsewhere within the sector.
Exceptionally volatile
Meanwhile, shares in investment company Concha (LSE: CHA) have risen by around 13% today, despite there being no news flow released in recent days. Of course, the last few weeks have been exceptionally volatile for the company’s share price, with it having fallen by 24% since the turn of the year. In fact, investor sentiment has been weak since the release of the company’s annual accounts which showed that Concha had made a loss of £628,000 for the year.
With Concha seeking new investment opportunities, it could successfully position itself for long term growth. But realistically, with only one investment at the present time, there appear to be better options available.