Today I am looking at a set of FTSE SmallCap (INDEXFTSE: SMX) growth heavyweights.
A mighty medical play
I believe that galloping demand for medicines should light a fire under the earnings performance of Consort Medical (LSE: CSRT) in the coming years.
The contract development and manufacturing play is already a significant provider to the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, and recent acquisitions like Aesica are helping Consort Medical to remain at the forefront of industry innovation.
The City certainly expects earnings to rev higher, and an 11% rise is currently forecast for the year to April 2017, resulting in a P/E ratio of 16.8 times.
I reckon this represents a decent time to plough into Consort Medical, as massive healthcare investment across the globe powers demand for the firm’s services.
Milking the market
With Western military budgets back on the mend, I reckon defence and dairy engineering group Avon Rubber (LSE: AVON) can expect sales of its cutting-edge hardware to the US Department of Defense to keep on climbing.
But the defence sector is not the only reason to be optimistic about Avon Rubber, with market share grabs from its cutting-edge Milkrite milking technology allowing it to traverse the worst of the cyclical problems hitting the dairy industry.
The number crunchers expect Avon Rubber to enjoy a 19% earnings advance in the period to September 2016, producing a P/E rating of just 13.5 times.
While contract timings may continue to prove problematic, I reckon rising demand for Avon Rubber’s products from non-US customers promises to deliver solid long-term growth.
Flooring favourite
Supported by robust economic conditions in the UK, and of course resplendent home-buyer demand, I reckon flooring specialist Carpetright (LSE: CPR) should keep on delivering brilliant earnings growth.
The company is also undergoing significant restructuring to shutter under-performing stores and open new ‘retail concept’ outlets. And Carpetright is planning to undergo significant brand changes and shop refits in the coming months to keep customers marching through its doors.
Against this backcloth, earnings at Carpetright are expected to march 30% in the year to April 2017, resulting in a mega-cheap P/E rating of 11.4 times.
Jobs juggernaut
I am convinced that recruitment play SThree (LSE: STHR) is a sound growth bet as, despite current travails in Asia, robust economic conditions in Europe and US are helping to drive profits higher.
On top of this, the company’s ICT and Life Sciences divisions are helping to offset the impact of troubles in the fossil fuel sector at its Energy arm. Indeed, group gross profits cantered 10% higher during December-February, to £53m.
The City expects SThree to keep earnings heading higher with an 18% advance in the year to November 2016, producing a very-attractive P/E ratio of 14.3 times. I reckon this represents stellar value given the terrific potential thrown up by the company’s huge global footprint.
