Burberry Group plc, Ocado Group PLC and Lavendon Group plc issue strong updates.
The FTSE 100 (UKX) saw its daily rises falter a little today, with the index of top UK stocks down 16 points to 6,092 at the time of writing. Further positive news from Japan failed to lift the markets, as the outgoing Bank of Japan governor told us that further easing is on the cards to boost the economy.
But on the downside, the US could hit its debt ceiling before the end of February, according to Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke.
But even if the index is flat today, a number of individual constituents are rising strongly. We look at three:
Burberry
The share price recovery at Burberry Group (LSE: BRBY) continues, with a nice rise today of 52p (4%) to 1,377p, taking the price almost back to its level before the September crash. Today's driver was a trading update, which told us of a 9% rise in revenue to £613 million, with retail revenue up 13% to £464 million.
The firm had a "strong week in the run up to Christmas", with digital sales performing strongly. Burberry also opened seven new stores during the period, including a new flagship store in Chicago.
Ocado
Online supermarket Ocado (LSE: OCDO), which has had a troubled time since its flotation, gained 3p (3.5%) to reach 87p after Christmas revenues came in 14% up on the 2011 season, at £91.6 million. Customer orders were up 11.4%, and the average order size rose as well.
The firm received average orders of 140,000 per week for the last four weeks of its financial year, and we are told that the second warehouse and processing centre is on track in its development. Though today's price rise is welcome, there's still some way to go to regain its flotation level.
Lavendon
Lavendon Group (LSE: LVD), which rents aerial work platforms in Europe and the Middle East, pleased the market with a positive trading update today, telling us it expects full-year performance to be at the upper end of current forecasts. The share price responded by jumping 11.5p (8%) to 156p, up 75% over the past 12 months.
Revenue for the year ending December is up 4%, with fourth-quarter revenue up by the same proportion. The firm also reduced its net debt by £8 million, to £99 million.
Finally, useful daily gains from shares can all play their part in making you your first million. But the real secret to becoming rich from shares is simple long-term investing in fundamentally sound companies, and letting steady growth and dividends power your wealth upwards.
If you don't think a million is feasible, read this free Motley Fool report and see if you change your mind. The report won't cost you a penny, so click here to have a copy delivered to your inbox while it's still available.
> Alan does not own any shares mentioned in this article. The Motley Fool has recommended shares in Burberry.
