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. Xaar
The share price of Xaar (LSE: XAR) has advanced by nearly 33% during the last four weeks or so. This is in part, perhaps, on the back of an interim trading statement, released on 10 June.
The inkjet printing technology group stated that demand for its technology had continued to grow, particularly in the Packaging, Industrial and graphic arts sectors. As a result, the company saw very strong product sales through the first five months of 2013. Xaar’s ceramic tile printing technology continues to be the market leader, and as a result led to this being the strongest area of demand.
Strong sales performance is expected to continue throughout the remainder of the year and, as a result, the board has adjusted its revenue expectations accordingly. It now expects total revenue in 2013 to grow approximately 50% above the £86m achieved in 2012.
2. Oxford Instruments
In stark contrast, the shares of Oxford Instruments (LSE: OXIG) have fallen by a rather alarming 22% to around 1246p.
This may have been on the back of the firm’s final results, released earlier in June. You would probably expect after looking at the drop in share price that the results were poor, but there were certainly some positives. Revenue and profits grew by 4% and 15% respectively, and the final dividend also rose to 11.2p per share. So why the sell-off?
It may stem from investors learning of a slowdown in demand for the company’s industrial products. However, this is likely to be because potential purchasers are being slightly more cautious, rather than a sign of a large-scale downturn. Though, one area not being affected by this drop was in Nanotechnology division, where they posted an 8% rise in demand for the last financial year.
Another 2 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.
