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        <title>ConvaTec Group Plc (LSE:CTEC) Share Price, History, &amp; News | The Motley Fool UK</title>
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	<title>ConvaTec Group Plc (LSE:CTEC) Share Price, History, &amp; News | The Motley Fool UK</title>
	<link>https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ctec/</link>
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                                <title>This unsexy FTSE 100 stock&#8217;s surged 7% today! Is it time to buy?</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/02/24/this-unsexy-ftse-100-stocks-surged-7-today-is-it-time-to-buy/</link>
                                <pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:44:43 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Royston Wild]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Market Movers]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=1653224</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Convatec shares have taken off on Tuesday  after an excellent full-year trading update. Can the FTSE 100 stock keep on rising from here though?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/02/24/this-unsexy-ftse-100-stocks-surged-7-today-is-it-time-to-buy/">This unsexy FTSE 100 stock&#8217;s surged 7% today! Is it time to buy?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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<p><strong>FTSE 100</strong> stock <strong>Convatec Group</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ctec/">LSE:CTEC</a>) doesn&#8217;t sell the hottest or most glamorous products out there. It makes stoma bags and special wound dressings for people with chronic health conditions. But don&#8217;t be mistaken: this is a genuinely compelling growth story.</p>



<p>Convatec&#8217;s share price has exploded on Tuesday (24 February) after it released brilliant trading numbers for 2025. It reported strength across all parts of the business, and upgraded its medium-term sales guidance too. At 246p per share, it was last up 7% on the day.</p>



<p>So what&#8217;s been going on lately? And are Convatec shares a potential buy?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impressive-numbers">Impressive numbers</h2>



<p>Adjusted revenues at the firm rose 5% to $2.4bn last year, at constant currencies. This was thanks to better-than-expected H2 sales, as Wound Care and Infusion Devices <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/investment-glossary/what-is-revenue/" id="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/investment-glossary/what-is-revenue/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">revenues</a> both topped forecasts. Group sales were up 4.8% on an organic basis.</p>



<p>Adjusted operating margin also rose 110 basis points at stable exchange rates, to 22.3%. Improved pricing, widescale streamlining and revenue growth outstripping cost rises all contributed to the increase.</p>



<p>This all meant Convatec&#8217;s adjusted operating profit rose 10.2% at constant currencies, to $544m.</p>



<p>Chief executive Jonny Mason said the business enjoyed &#8220;<em>broad-based organic revenue growth across all categories, supported by new product launches, operating margin expansion, mid-teens growth in adjusted earnings per share and strong cash conversion.</em>&#8220;</p>



<p>Convatec hiked the full-year <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/how-shares-are-taxed-2/how-dividends-are-taxed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dividend</a> 13%, to 7.244 cents per share, adding a further sweetener for investors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-positive-outlook">Positive outlook</h2>



<p>Convatec is confident it can keep its momentum going too. Alongside that bright update for 2025, the business hiked its medium-term organic revenue growth target to 6%-8%, with sales supported by new products hitting the market. It had previously tipped a range of 5%-7%.</p>



<p>The firm maintained its adjusted operating margin target of mid-20s percentages by this year or next. Adjusted earnings per share is also expected to rise by double-digit percentages in 2026, following on from last year&#8217;s 16% increase.</p>



<p>The thing is, has Convatec overstretched itself by raising its already-bullish forecasts?</p>



<p>The company operates in a highly competitive sector, and revenues are at risk if it loses or misses out on tenders to healthcare operators and other organisations. Its strong progress on margins could also come under pressure if it&#8217;s forced to slash prices to better compete, or if inflationary pressures return.</p>



<p>But on balance, I believe the outlook is extremely bright. Its pivot towards fast-growing product areas and high-margin technologies should supercharge sales and earnings, while its streamlining drive has more to deliver.</p>



<p>It can also strong structural support to continue, as an ageing global population supercharges product demand.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-next">What next?</h2>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Convatec Group Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:CTEC" data-range="5y" data-start-date="" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<p>The question is, can Convatec&#8217;s share price continue soaring? City analysts think it can. Sixteen of them currently have ratings on the firm, providing a healthy range of opinions. Their average share price target is 316p per share, suggesting another 28% rise from today&#8217;s levels.</p>



<p>On balance, I think it&#8217;s a top share to consider today. But it&#8217;s not the only FTSE 100 momentum stock that&#8217;s caught my attention.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/02/24/this-unsexy-ftse-100-stocks-surged-7-today-is-it-time-to-buy/">This unsexy FTSE 100 stock&#8217;s surged 7% today! Is it time to buy?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                <title>These results make the ConvaTec share price one I just can&#8217;t ignore</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/07/29/these-results-make-the-convatec-share-price-one-i-just-cant-ignore/</link>
                                <pubDate>Tue, 29 Jul 2025 11:00:30 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Alan Oscroft]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Market Movers]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=1553803</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>The ConvaTec share price has had a volatile few years. But solid first-half progress provides a boost for strong growth forecasts.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/07/29/these-results-make-the-convatec-share-price-one-i-just-cant-ignore/">These results make the ConvaTec share price one I just can&#8217;t ignore</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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<p>I suspect the <strong>ConvaTec Group</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ctec/">LSE: CTEC</a>) share price has slipped under the radar for many investors. It had for me.</p>



<p>Yet the company saw its shares climb 45% in the five years to June&#8217;s 52-week high of 311.2p. That was before a sharp dip to 238.8p at close on Monday (28 July) however. But we&#8217;re looking at a 1% rise at the time I write on first-half results morning (29 July).</p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Convatec Group Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:CTEC" data-range="5y" data-start-date="" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-progress-since-2016">Progress since 2016</h2>



<p>ConvaTec&#8217;s a medical products and technologies company, specialising in long-term care for wound, ostomy, incontinence and infusion patients.</p>



<p>It floated on the <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/understanding-the-market/the-london-stock-exchange/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">London Stock Exchange</a> in 2016. Since then, the share price has, well, gone almost precisely nowhere. But after a disappointing start to life as a public company, ConvaTec&#8217;s seen its shares gradually creeping up since mid-2019.</p>



<p>The latest update covers a bewildering array of technical products with the usual less-than-poetic medical names (I can&#8217;t delve into them in the space available here). But investors considering buying some shares really need to at least get an overall feel for what they do and how their prospects might look.</p>



<p>In summary, I can&#8217;t really do better than quote CEO Karim Bitar: &#8220;<em>We saw further broad-based organic revenue growth across all chronic care categories, further operating margin expansion and double-digit growth in adjusted EPS.</em>&#8220;</p>



<p>He added: &#8220;<em>We are well-positioned to deliver our medium-term targets, including double-digit compound annual growth in EPS and free cash flow to equity</em>.&#8221;</p>



<p>That will apparently be driven by the firm&#8217;s <em>&#8220;leading positions in structurally growing markets&#8221; </em>and its <em>&#8220;strongest-ever innovation pipeline</em>&#8220;.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turnaround-time">Turnaround time?</h2>



<p>The first half saw adjusted <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/understanding-company-accounts/the-profit-and-loss-account/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">operating profit</a> rise 13% to $252m, on a 21.3% adjusted margin. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) put on 19% to reach 8 cents.</p>



<p>There&#8217;s a chunk of net debt on the books, up to $1,165m from $1,058m at 31 December. That does concern me. It puts the firm&#8217;s net debt to adjusted <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/what-is-ebitda/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EBITDA</a> ratio at 1.9x. Though at least that&#8217;s down from 2.3x a year prior.</p>



<p>Should a company be paying $101m in dividends, as this one did in the half, to see net debt rise by a bit more than that? I&#8217;m probably worrying unduly, but I&#8217;m like that. My long-term aversion to company debt was strengthened by the 2020 Covid crash. It was painful to see some with big debts struggle badly.</p>



<p>Still, forecasts suggest net debt should be down to around $500m by 2027. And that would ease my concerns considerably. City analysts also see EPS almost doubling between 2024 and 2027. Today&#8217;s forward price-to-earnings (P/E) of over 27 perhaps looks a bit steep. But by 2027 it could be down around 17.</p>



<p>The biggest risk for me is the unknowns and uncertainties behind all those technical products. And this is a very competitive market. But those potential growth prospects mean I can&#8217;t ignore the stock at the current price. I&#8217;m not buying yet, but I&#8217;ll consider it when I&#8217;ve educated myself a bit more.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/07/29/these-results-make-the-convatec-share-price-one-i-just-cant-ignore/">These results make the ConvaTec share price one I just can&#8217;t ignore</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                <title>2 cheap shares I&#8217;d buy as the FTSE 100 slides</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2023/03/28/2-cheap-shares-id-buy-as-the-ftse-100-slides/</link>
                                <pubDate>Tue, 28 Mar 2023 14:27:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charlie Carman]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Dividend Shares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Value Shares]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=1202706</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Charlie Carman identifies a couple of cheap shares that he'd invest in as the FTSE 100 index turns negative this year to date.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2023/03/28/2-cheap-shares-id-buy-as-the-ftse-100-slides/">2 cheap shares I&#8217;d buy as the FTSE 100 slides</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p>Is the recent <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/understanding-the-market/what-is-the-stock-market-and-how-does-it-work/">stock market</a> downturn a cause for concern? Well, it&#8217;s certainly hard to remain calm when the <strong>FTSE 100 </strong>is falling. However, I&#8217;m trying to keep a cool head and I&#8217;m aiming to use the sell-off as an opportunity to buy cheap shares. </p>



<p>Two Footsie shares that look attractive to me right now are medical products manufacturer <strong>ConvaTec Group </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ctec/">LSE:CTEC</a>) and water utilities giant <strong>Severn Trent </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-svt/">LSE:SVT</a>).</p>



<p>Let&#8217;s explore each in turn. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-convatec-group">ConvaTec Group</h2>



<p>ConvaTec&#8217;s product range covers a variety of medical solutions from advanced wound care dressings to ostomy care devices and accessories. It&#8217;s a stable business, and relatively non-cyclical in the face of difficult macroeconomic conditions. </p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Convatec Group Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:CTEC" data-range="5y" data-start-date="2018-03-24" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<p>The ConvaTec share price has experienced marginally positive growth over 12 months, increasing 1.5%. The stock also sports a handy 2.3% dividend yield. </p>



<p>The company is geographically diversified, generating 53% of its sales in North America, 33% in Europe, and 14% in the rest of the world. Recent key performance indicators suggest the group is in good financial health. </p>



<p>Last year, revenue grew 6.9% to hit $2.07bn. In addition, the adjusted operating profit margin increased to 19.5%, up from 17.7% in 2021. ConvaTec hopes to boost the margin further to the mid-20s over the medium term. </p>



<p>Overall, I think the company&#8217;s growth looks sustainable, especially in the context of an aging population, which acts as a long-term tailwind. Plus, I like the group&#8217;s defensive credentials. </p>



<p>ConvaTec occupies leading positions in its various product markets. Its focus on chronic care conditions means revenues are often recurring in nature. </p>



<p>Granted, <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/personal-finance/your-money/guides/what-is-inflation/">inflationary</a> headwinds continue to pose risks due to the increased pressure on input costs. However, many central banks expect prices will fall as the year unfolds. </p>



<p>If I had some spare cash, I&#8217;d buy ConvaTec shares today. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-severn-trent">Severn Trent</h2>



<p>The Severn Trent share price has fallen 6% over the past year, but over five years it&#8217;s grown 48%. The stock offers shareholders a 3.7% dividend yield. </p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Severn Trent Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:SVT" data-range="5y" data-start-date="2018-03-24" data-end-date="2023-03-24" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<p>This is another company with robust financials. In recent interim results, the group confirmed its Regulated Water and Waste Water division is on track to deliver £1.97bn to £2.02bn in turnover, which means its full-year guidance is unchanged. This division is responsible for the lion&#8217;s share of the firm&#8217;s revenue. </p>



<p>In addition, total dividends per share are expected to rise to 106.82p from 102.14p in the previous financial year. </p>



<p>The business recently acquired Andigestion, a company that operates two food recycling plants. This deal boosts Severn Trent&#8217;s green credentials and enhances its power generation capabilities thanks to the additional 45GWh per year the food digestion operations will provide &#8212; a rise of 16%. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-style-default"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="681" height="553" src="https://www.fool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/severn.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1203774"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em><sup>Source: Severn Trent Interim Results 2022/23</sup></em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Severn Trent now self-generates over half of its energy consumption. That&#8217;s an attractive hedge against rising energy prices, which have caused difficulties for many companies over the past year. </p>



<p>A 6% uptick in net debt to £6.63bn in H1 2023 suggests there are risks, especially in the context of ambitious future infrastructure investment plans. However, the balance sheet looks sufficiently stable to me at present, although I&#8217;ll monitor any developments closely. </p>



<p>Overall, this looks like another solid defensive stock for me to invest in. If I had some spare cash, I&#8217;d buy Severn Trent shares today. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2023/03/28/2-cheap-shares-id-buy-as-the-ftse-100-slides/">2 cheap shares I&#8217;d buy as the FTSE 100 slides</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                <title>UDG shares soar on takeover bid. Here&#8217;s another healthcare stock I&#8217;d buy now</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2021/05/12/udg-shares-soar-on-takeover-bid-heres-another-healthcare-stock-id-buy-now/</link>
                                <pubDate>Wed, 12 May 2021 09:18:55 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Roland Head]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=221103</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>The UDG share price is up on takeover news. But Roland Head also looks at another healthcare stock he sees as a bid target.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2021/05/12/udg-shares-soar-on-takeover-bid-heres-another-healthcare-stock-id-buy-now/">UDG shares soar on takeover bid. Here&#8217;s another healthcare stock I&#8217;d buy now</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
]]></description>
                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>UDG Healthcare </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-udg/">LSE: UDG</a>) shares have surged 20% higher this morning after the company said it had received a 1,023p per share cash takeover offer. This <strong>FTSE 250</strong> business makes medical packaging and provides marketing services to the healthcare sector.</p>
<p>Here, I&#8217;ll explain what I&#8217;d do with UDG shares now. I&#8217;ll also reveal another healthcare stock I&#8217;d like to buy that I think could be a bid target.</p>
<h2>UDG shares: I&#8217;d sit tight</h2>
<p>Private equity firm Clayton Dubilier &amp; Rice has made the cash offer for UDG Healthcare, valuing the business at £2.6bn. It&#8217;s been recommended by UDG&#8217;s board, so it&#8217;s likely to be accepted, unless a competing bid comes along.</p>
<p>At the time of writing, UDG shares are trading at 1,023p exactly. This suggests to me the market is confident the bid will go through. Usually, shares in a company that&#8217;s being taken private trade slightly below the takeover price, to reflect the risk that the deal might fail.</p>
<p>Another possibility is that a higher bid could emerge. UDG&#8217;s reliable cash flows and US bias makes it an attractive prospect for private equity, as the business should be able to support higher debt levels and fund generous dividends.</p>
<p>Today&#8217;s offer values UDG Healthcare shares at 29 times earnings for the 12 months to 31 March. That seems like a full price to me, but I think there might be room for a cash-rich buyer to go a little higher.</p>
<p>If I owned UDG Healthcare stock, I&#8217;d keep holding after today&#8217;s news. I think the takeover is almost certain to succeed, so the payout should be safe. In the meantime, there&#8217;s a small chance a higher bid will come along.</p>
<h2>The next healthcare stock I&#8217;d buy</h2>
<p>One healthcare business I&#8217;ve been watching for a while is FTSE 250 medical product company <strong>ConvaTec </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ctec/">LSE: CTEC</a>). This business produces <a href="https://www.convatecgroup.com/our-franchises/">medical products</a> needed to care for people with chronic conditions. Examples include colostomy bags and advanced wound care treatments.</p>
<p>ConvaTec only floated on the London market in 2016 and had a slightly rocky start to life as a public company. But things have <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing/2021/05/05/3-ftse-250-shares-id-buy-in-may/">improved since then</a> and the company is now starting to look like the kind of business I want to invest in.</p>
<p>Firstly, ConvaTec&#8217;s products tend to be essential, repeat purchases. This should generate attractive recurring revenue and give good visibility on earnings.</p>
<p>This business is also quite profitable, with an operating margin of 12% in 2020. I can see room for this to improve, supporting strong cash flows.</p>
<p>These are the positives I look for in an investment. But they&#8217;re also popular with private equity buyers, as we&#8217;ve seen today with UDG shares.</p>
<p>Of course, there&#8217;s no guarantee ConvaTec will attract a bid. Any deal would have to win the approval of Danish pharma giant <strong>Novo Nordisk</strong>, which owns 20% of ConvaTec stock.</p>
<p>Another consideration is that ConvaTec shares already look fully-priced, on 25 times 2021 forecast earnings. That&#8217;s a little more than I&#8217;d usually pay for a stock.</p>
<p>I&#8217;m tempted by ConvaTec&#8217;s strong growth outlook and good cash generation. It&#8217;s definitely a stock I&#8217;m considering for my portfolio.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2021/05/12/udg-shares-soar-on-takeover-bid-heres-another-healthcare-stock-id-buy-now/">UDG shares soar on takeover bid. Here&#8217;s another healthcare stock I&#8217;d buy now</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                <title>3 FTSE 250 shares I&#8217;d buy in May</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2021/05/05/3-ftse-250-shares-id-buy-in-may/</link>
                                <pubDate>Wed, 05 May 2021 13:59:55 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[G A Chester]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=220589</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>G A Chester discusses why he thinks these FTSE 250 shares are strong businesses, and what he likes about their recent trading updates.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2021/05/05/3-ftse-250-shares-id-buy-in-may/">3 FTSE 250 shares I&#8217;d buy in May</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
]]></description>
                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Last week was a busy one for company news, and three <strong>FTSE 250</strong> shares particularly caught my eye. I believe all three are strong businesses. Here&#8217;s what I liked about their updates and why I&#8217;d be happy to buy their shares in May.</p>
<h2>Considerable appeal</h2>
<p>Medical products and technologies company <strong>ConvaTec</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ctec/">LSE: CTEC</a>) is a FTSE 250 share I think has considerable appeal. For one thing, it&#8217;s a geographically diversified global business. For another, it has <a href="https://www.convatecgroup.com/our-franchises/">leading market positions</a> in the areas it focuses on. Namely, advanced wound care, ostomy care, continence &amp; critical care, and infusion care.</p>
<p>CTEC reported a <em>&#8220;strong&#8221;</em> performance in the three months to 31 March. Group organic revenue increased 6.7%. And all its business segments contributed to the growth. In addition, management said it &#8220;<em>executed effectively&#8221;</em> on its strategic transformation, as it targets sustainable and profitable growth.</p>
<p>Trading at 25 times trailing earnings, the market is pricing CTEC for successful delivery of its strategy. Nevertheless, there&#8217;s a risk the <em>&#8220;significant number of strategic initiatives&#8221;</em> the company is pursuing won&#8217;t deliver the anticipated growth. If so, the shares could de-rate to a lower earnings multiple. However, I found last week&#8217;s update highly encouraging, and I think CTEC could be a good long-term investment for me.</p>
<h2>FTSE 250 shares #2</h2>
<p><strong>Howden Joinery</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-hwdn/">LSE: HWDN</a>) is the UK&#8217;s leading trade supplier of kitchens. I think its scale and specialisation are competitive advantages. It still has growth to go for in the UK, but is also expanding from a low base in France and Belgium.</p>
<p>Last week&#8217;s trading update was for the 16 weeks to 17 April. It was no surprise to see massive increases in revenue compared to the same period last year, which was hit hard by the first Covid lockdown. However, I was impressed by comparisons with the pre-pandemic period in 2019. UK revenue increased 13% (or 9% on a same-depot basis). European revenue increased 38% (or 20% on a same-depot basis).</p>
<p>There are a number of risks to HWDN&#8217;s prospects. These include the cyclicality of the construction sector, notably <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing/2021/05/01/top-uk-stocks-may-2021/">residential housing</a>. Also, the expansion into Europe is still at too early a stage to be sure it&#8217;ll be a success. On balance though, I think this could be another good long-term investment for me. HWDN is trading at 32 times last year&#8217;s pandemic-depressed earnings.</p>
<h2>FTSE 250 shares #3</h2>
<p>I&#8217;m a big fan of the power of consumer goods brands. <strong>PZ Cussons</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-pzc/">LSE: PZC</a>) has a strong stable of them. They include <em>Carex</em>, <em>Imperial Leather</em> and <em>St Tropez</em>. The company also has attractive international diversification across both developed and emerging markets.</p>
<p>Last week, PZC reported a 4.7% increase in revenue (at constant currency) for the 13 weeks to 27 February. I liked that all regions grew revenue and profit. This continued the <em>&#8220;renewed momentum&#8221;</em> in the business after a long period of struggling for growth under its previous chief executive.</p>
<p>PZC has been investing heavily behind its brands in the initial phase of the new CEO&#8217;s strategy to return to sustainable profit growth. As it&#8217;s still early days, there&#8217;s no guarantee the recent momentum will continue. As with CTEC, the shares could de-rate if the strategy doesn&#8217;t deliver the growth implied by PZC&#8217;s rating of 21 times trailing earnings. However, I like the company&#8217;s brands and the new CEO&#8217;s approach. As such, this is another FTSE 250 share I think could be a good long-term investment for me.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2021/05/05/3-ftse-250-shares-id-buy-in-may/">3 FTSE 250 shares I&#8217;d buy in May</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                <title>3 FTSE 250 stocks I think could soar into the FTSE 100 index in 2021</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2021/01/29/3-ftse-250-stocks-i-think-could-soar-into-the-ftse-100-index-in-2021/</link>
                                <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jan 2021 10:08:27 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[G A Chester]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=200121</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>From a national institution to a worldwide veterinarian favourite, here are 3 FTSE 250 stocks this Fool thinks could gatecrash the FTSE 100 index this year.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2021/01/29/3-ftse-250-stocks-i-think-could-soar-into-the-ftse-100-index-in-2021/">3 FTSE 250 stocks I think could soar into the FTSE 100 index in 2021</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;m looking today at mid-cap <strong>FTSE 250</strong> stocks I think could have the potential to move up into the elite <strong>FTSE 100</strong> index. For this to happen, a company&#8217;s market capitalisation (share price multiplied by its number of shares in issue) has to pass a certain threshold. Typically, this requires a strong rise in the share price.</p>
<p>The FTSE bods <a href="https://research.ftserussell.com/products/downloads/FTSE_FAQ_Document_UK_2021.pdf">look at the indexes every three months</a> to see if any changes are needed. Right now, there are three FTSE 250 stocks I think have prospects of being promoted to the FTSE 100 during the course of 2021.</p>
<p><strong>ITV</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-itv/">LSE: ITV</a>) will be familiar to most readers. Medical devices group <strong>ConvaTec</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ctec/">LSE: CTEC</a>) and veterinary drugs firm <strong>Dechra Pharmaceuticals</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-dph/">LSE: DPH</a>) will probably be less familiar.</p>
<h2>Blue-chip bounce back</h2>
<p>ITV had been a longstanding member of the FTSE 100 before crashing out in last September&#8217;s review. Having started 2020 at 150p, the ITV share price had slumped to 57p by the review date.</p>
<p>The Covid-19 pandemic hit the company hard. Shuttered studios and a slump in advertising meant its two main sources of revenue plummeted. However, investors have turned cautiously optimistic since September. We&#8217;ve seen a revival in the share price to a current 107p.</p>
<p>As vaccines are rolled out, production and advertising should begin to recover. If this happens, I wouldn&#8217;t be surprised to see the ITV share price continue to <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing/2020/12/30/why-i-think-the-itv-share-price-could-double-in-2021/">head back towards 150p</a>. And the company return to the FTSE 100 index.</p>
<p>Of course, if the vaccines rollout doesn&#8217;t carry through to a recovery in production and advertising, the ITV share price may not rise.</p>
<h2>A lurking FTSE 250 stock</h2>
<p>The ConvaTec share price ended 2020 in the same 200p area as it started the year. Mind, it was a volatile journey. The shares briefly went sub-150p in the spring market crash. At today&#8217;s 202p, the company lurks outside the FTSE 100.</p>
<p>ConvaTec is a global medical devices group focused on therapies for the management of chronic conditions. The increasing prevalence of such conditions provides a tailwind for the company.</p>
<p>After wholesale boardroom changes a couple of years ago, management is making good progress towards realising ConvaTec&#8217;s full potential for profitable growth. Provided progress continues, I think the company could potentially make it into the FTSE 100 index this year.</p>
<p>But this may not happen if progress stalls. For example, by poor execution of the strategy for profitable growth.</p>
<h2>Another FTSE 250 stock in contention</h2>
<p>The Dechra Pharmaceuticals share price ended 2020 some 17% higher than it started the year. And it&#8217;s still rising. At  3,690p, it&#8217;s up 7% so far in 2021. After the strong performance, Dechra&#8217;s joined ConvaTec within shouting distance of the FTSE 100.</p>
<p>According to the company, the majority of its veterinary products (sold worldwide) are used to treat medical conditions for which there&#8217;s no other effective solution. Or have a clinical or dosing advantage over competitor products. The company is growing fast, both organically and by acquisitions.</p>
<p>Dechra&#8217;s chief executive has steered the firm for 20 years. Provided he continues to increase the value of the business &#8212; and the share price follows suit &#8212; I think this is another FTSE 250 stock that could potentially ascend to the FTSE 100 before the year is out.</p>
<p>There&#8217;s always risk though, including that Dechra could make a value-destroying, rather than value-enhancing, acquisition. In which case, the share price could fall rather than rise.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2021/01/29/3-ftse-250-stocks-i-think-could-soar-into-the-ftse-100-index-in-2021/">3 FTSE 250 stocks I think could soar into the FTSE 100 index in 2021</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                <title>3 FTSE 250 recovery stocks I&#8217;d buy now to get rich and retire early</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2020/11/05/3-ftse-250-recovery-stocks-id-buy-now-to-get-rich-and-retire-early/</link>
                                <pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2020 15:19:33 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[G A Chester]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=184671</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>I think these three FTSE 250 recovery stocks are strong candidates to deliver high returns. They're among my best shares to buy now. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2020/11/05/3-ftse-250-recovery-stocks-id-buy-now-to-get-rich-and-retire-early/">3 FTSE 250 recovery stocks I&#8217;d buy now to get rich and retire early</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The three <strong>FTSE 250</strong> stocks I&#8217;m looking at today are currently out of favour with investors. They&#8217;re among my best shares to buy now, because I believe they&#8217;re capable of delivering high returns on a recovery from their current levels. Indeed, I reckon they could help me get rich and retire early.</p>
<h2>My three FTSE 250 recovery stocks</h2>
<p>None of the three businesses are firing on all cylinders right now. All have endured a Covid-19 impact, or other issues, or both. Of course, it&#8217;s because there&#8217;s a lack of immediate momentum in these businesses that many investors are overlooking them. I think this is short-sighted.</p>
<p>The companies in question are soft drinks firm <strong>Britvic</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-bvic/">LSE: BVIC</a>), gold miner <strong>Centamin</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-cey/">LSE: CEY</a>), and medical products group <strong>ConvaTec</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ctec/">LSE: CTEC</a>).</p>
<h2>Covid-19 setback</h2>
<p>Britvic&#8217;s shares reached a high of 1,068p last autumn. They&#8217;re currently 30% below that, at 747p.</p>
<p>The company performed strongly last year, with its earnings and dividend increasing by mid-single-digit percentages. Management said: <em>&#8220;We fully expect that we will make further progress in 2020&#8221;.</em></p>
<p>The Covid-19 pandemic put paid to that. Big declines in out-of-home consumption have been only partly offset by strong growth in at-home consumption. Analysts expect a 28% fall in earnings, and a similarly reduced dividend.</p>
<p>However, the CEO has said: <em>&#8220;Looking further ahead, I am confident that the strong momentum we built up going into the pandemic will return&#8221;.</em> I share his confidence.</p>
<p>A healthy bounce-back in earnings and dividends is forecast for fiscal 2021. Trading at 13.9 times the forecast earnings, with a prospective dividend yield of 3.8%, I see this <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing/2020/10/28/for-wednesday-1-dividend-stock-i-think-all-income-investors-should-consider/">drinks-brands powerhouse</a> as a compelling FTSE 250 recovery stock.</p>
<h2>Production setback</h2>
<p>Centamin&#8217;s business and shares were performing strongly earlier this year. On the back of a higher gold price and production, it reported a 57% increase in first-half revenue and a 280% rise in earnings. Its shares reached a high of 232p in August.</p>
<p>However, last month it announced it was deferring production in one zone of its giant Sukari mine in Egypt. This was due to movement in a localised area of waste material. Subsequently, it revised its 2020 production guidance down to 445,000–455,000 from 510,000–525,000 ounces. Furthermore, it gave 2021 guidance of 400,000–430,000 ounces.</p>
<p>At a current 126p, this FTSE 250 miner&#8217;s shares are 46% below their August high. I think the fall is way overdone. At less than 12 times forecast 2021 earnings, and a prospective dividend yield of 6%, I reckon Centamin is another stock capable of delivering high returns for buyers today.</p>
<h2>FTSE 250 recovery stock #3</h2>
<p>Ahead of the February/March market crash, ConvaTec&#8217;s shares were up at 220p. By May, they&#8217;d recovered to the same level. However, they&#8217;ve since drifted lower, and at a current 195p are 11% off their highs.</p>
<p>The company has a <a href="https://www.convatecgroup.com/our-franchises/">market-leading portfolio</a> of medical devices and technologies for the management of chronic conditions. Demographic trends are supportive for growth, but the company hadn&#8217;t really been making the most of its strong position, and there were wholesale management changes last year.</p>
<p>The Covid-19 has had <em>some</em> adverse impact on ConvaTec&#8217;s progress under the new management. However, I believe the team&#8217;s strategy for the business, the structural backdrop for growth, and a sub-20 multiple of forecast 2021 earnings make this another compelling FTSE 250 recovery stock.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2020/11/05/3-ftse-250-recovery-stocks-id-buy-now-to-get-rich-and-retire-early/">3 FTSE 250 recovery stocks I&#8217;d buy now to get rich and retire early</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                <title>Stock market crash: 3 cheap shares I&#8217;d buy to make a million</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2020/08/02/stock-market-crash-3-cheap-shares-id-buy-to-make-a-million/</link>
                                <pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2020 11:06:51 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rupert Hargreaves]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Live: Coronavirus Market Crash Coverage]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=166895</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>The stock market crash sent these shares plunging to low levels. Buying them while they're cheap could produce high total returns in the years ahead. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2020/08/02/stock-market-crash-3-cheap-shares-id-buy-to-make-a-million/">Stock market crash: 3 cheap shares I&#8217;d buy to make a million</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">The recent stock market crash may have dissuaded some investors from buying UK shares. However, purchasing undervalued shares after a market decline could prove to be a sound move.</p>
<p>Many highly successful investors, such as <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing/2020/07/21/2-ftse-100-stocks-i-think-warren-buffett-would-buy-2/">Warren Buffett</a>, have used this strategy in the past to make money. </p>
<p>As such, here are three cheap shares that could be worth adding to your portfolio after the stock market crash. </p>
<h2>Stock market crash bargains</h2>
<p>Medical company <strong>Convatec</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ctec/">LSE: CTEC</a>) produces essential products for the management of chronic conditions. This gives the business a defensive nature. </p>
<p>At a time when so many other companies are reporting losses, Convatec is expected to report a healthy profit for 2020. Analysts are forecasting a 43% increase in earnings per share for the year. </p>
<p>Despite this projection, shares in the healthcare company are currently dealing around 10% below their one-year high. This may suggest they offer a margin of safety after the recent stock market crash. </p>
<p>Going forward, the company is planning to invest $150m to improve operations. This may lead to larger profit margins and more substantial growth rates in the years ahead. </p>
<p>As such, now may be a good time to snap up a share of this business after the market crash as its growth starts to pick up. </p>
<h2>Spirent Communications</h2>
<p><strong>Spirent Communications</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-spt/">LSE: SPT</a>) may be a great way to play the rollout of 5G networks across the country.</p>
<p>The company believes the world is only a third of the way through what could ultimately be a 12-year 5G cycle. This suggests the demand for its equipment and experience is only really just getting started. </p>
<p>Analysts are forecasting steady growth for the next few years. If the company&#8217;s projection for a multi-year 5G rollout does come to fruition, this growth could last well into the late 2020s, and possibly early 2030s. </p>
<p>Therefore, Spirent may have many years of growth ahead of it. The stock market crash has presented investors an opportunity to buy into this business at a low price. It might be worth snapping up a share of this telecommunications leader before growth picks up in the next decade.</p>
<h2>XP Power</h2>
<p>After any stock market crash, buying high-quality shares that produce a niche product or service can be a great strategy. <strong>XP Power</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-xpp/">LSE: XPP</a>) may fall into this bracket.</p>
<p>XP Power designs power supplies for blue-chip customers. It caters to four primary sectors, semiconductor equipment, technology, industrial, and healthcare.</p>
<p>All of these are relatively defensive sectors. Keeping the power on is essential for many businesses, so they’re unlikely to cancel orders with XP Power. </p>
<p>As such, now to be a great time to take advantage of the recent stock market crash and buy shares in the company while they trade at a low level.</p>
<p>Analysts are forecasting a double-digit increase in earnings for the group this year, and a similar performance in 2021. That suggests shareholders could see a healthy return on their investment in the years ahead. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2020/08/02/stock-market-crash-3-cheap-shares-id-buy-to-make-a-million/">Stock market crash: 3 cheap shares I&#8217;d buy to make a million</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                <title>Calling ISA investors! A FTSE 250 turnaround stock I’d buy for 2020 and beyond</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2019/10/31/calling-isa-investors-a-ftse-250-turnaround-stock-id-buy-for-2020-and-beyond/</link>
                                <pubDate>Thu, 31 Oct 2019 07:55:44 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Royston Wild]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=136407</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>I'd buy this brilliant defensive hero for 2020 and hold it for years to come, says Royston Wild. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2019/10/31/calling-isa-investors-a-ftse-250-turnaround-stock-id-buy-for-2020-and-beyond/">Calling ISA investors! A FTSE 250 turnaround stock I’d buy for 2020 and beyond</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing/2019/10/29/isa-investors-a-top-dividend-growth-stock-id-buy-for-2020-and-hold-for-25-years/">As I commented</a> in a recent piece, one wise strategy for share investors to adopt for 2020 is to purchase shares in the defensive healthcare sector. Forget about the geopolitical and macroeconomic worries damaging global growth in the coming year. The terrific earnings visibility of these firms in troubled times makes them terrific buys for right now.</p>
<p>Then I tipped primary healthcare facility developer <strong>Assura</strong>, but another top healthcare stock has come to my attention again today: <strong>FTSE 250</strong>-listed <strong>Convatec Group </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ctec/">LSE: CTEC</a>). Why? Its share price has soared on signs of improving trading conditions moving into the new year.</p>
<h2>Reassuringly solid</h2>
<p>On Wednesday ConvaTec &#8212; a leading manufacturer of ostomy devices like colostomy bags, as well as wound care products &#8212; soared to 12-month peaks after putting out bright business numbers for the three months to September.</p>
<p>Revenues clocked in at $462.9m, up 2.4% year-on-year, or 4.6% on an organic basis and signalling a serious sales uptick in recent months. By comparison, turnover was down 3.5% in the first six months of the year and flat organically.</p>
<p>ConvaTec’s results were flattered by some weak comparators, but even so, those third-quarter numbers sailed past all expectations. Organic growth was reported across all four trading units and ranged from 3% at its Ostomy Care division to a mighty 8% at Continence and Critical Care.</p>
<p>For the first nine months of 2019, ConvaTec’s organic sales were up 1.5%, prompting the business to affirm its full-year growth target of 1% to 2.5%.</p>
<h2>The road to recovery</h2>
<p>ConvaTec’s latest release is the second robust report in just three months, leading to hopes that it’s finally on the mend after a tumultuous couple of years.</p>
<p>The FTSE 250 firm had warned on profits at the third-quarter stage in both of the previous years, ConvaTec scribbling out its prior forecasts last time out after sales troubles with its biggest Infusion Devices customer, allied with serious difficulties at its Advanced Wound Care division. Then in February, it fell again after advising that it continued to miss its targets.</p>
<p>The release of two solid trading updates on the bounce, showing signs of improving sales momentum, has raised hopes that it has finally turned the corner. And I’d argue that there’s plenty more to be excited about. Recent management changes have seen former <strong>Eli Lilly</strong> veteran Karim Bitar parachuted in as chief executive to beef up the boardroom. Meanwhile, the launch of its three-year, $150m, transformation scheme launched last winter should help to give sales an extra boot up the backside and deliver significant cost savings.</p>
<h2>Bag a beauty</h2>
<p>Now, City analysts had been forecasting a 16% earnings slump in 2019 in the run-up to this week’s update, and for another drop &#8212; albeit a fractional 1% one &#8212; for next year. However, in light of recent news flow, it’s likely that these estimates could receive significant upgrades, and in particular, 2020’s targets as the upcoming year progresses.</p>
<p>Right now, ConvaTec trades on a slightly toppy P/E ratio of 20.3 times for 2020. But I’d argue that given the strong possibility of forecast improvements, the huge potential of its self-help plans, and its excellent long-term sales outlook because of booming healthcare investment the world over all make the business worthy of such a premium. It’s a top buy today, in my opinion.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2019/10/31/calling-isa-investors-a-ftse-250-turnaround-stock-id-buy-for-2020-and-beyond/">Calling ISA investors! A FTSE 250 turnaround stock I’d buy for 2020 and beyond</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                <title>2 FTSE 250 stocks I&#8217;d buy for 2020</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2019/10/30/2-ftse-250-stocks-id-buy-for-2020/</link>
                                <pubDate>Wed, 30 Oct 2019 14:03:09 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[G A Chester]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ConvaTec]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FirstGroup]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=136386</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>G A Chester highlights two FTSE 250 (INDEXFTSE:MCX) stocks where he sees catalysts for high investment returns.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2019/10/30/2-ftse-250-stocks-id-buy-for-2020/">2 FTSE 250 stocks I&#8217;d buy for 2020</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Shares of healthcare firm <strong>ConvaTec</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ctec/">LSE: CTEC</a>) and travel operator <strong>FirstGroup</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-fgp/">LSE: FGP</a>) have performed strongly this year. Looking ahead, I believe both these <strong>FTSE 250</strong> stocks can continue to deliver. Here are the reasons why I&#8217;d buy them today for 2020.</p>
<h2>Fundamentally attractive</h2>
<p>ConvaTec is a stock I originally tipped far too soon after it debuted on the stock market in 2016. I&#8217;m generally cautious on new arrivals until they&#8217;ve built up a record as a publicly-listed company, but I was swayed by CTEC&#8217;s market-leading products and technologies for the management of chronic conditions.</p>
<p>The company soon reported a number of operational issues, and the share price suffered as a result. However, I continue to see the business as fundamentally attractive, with ageing populations being a structural driver for growth. The shares have climbed around 50% since <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing/2019/03/09/i-got-this-ftse-250-stock-badly-wrong-but-could-the-time-to-buy-now-be-right/">I kept faith with the company</a> earlier this year. Events since, including a Q3 trading update today, have persuaded me there&#8217;s more to come.</p>
<h2>On track</h2>
<p>With a new chairman and chief executive, ConvaTec reported a Q3 performance in line with management expectations, and said its transformation initiative is on track. Advanced wound care produced organic revenue growth of 3.6% for the period, and with ostomy care (+3%), continence and critical care (+8%), and infusion devices (+4.3%), there was growth across all franchises.</p>
<p>Management left its guidance for the full-year unchanged. Namely, group organic revenue growth of 1% to 2.5%, and an adjusted EBIT margin of 18% to 20%, including spend associated with the transformation initiative and costs to implement new medical device regulations.</p>
<h2>Plans and progress</h2>
<p>Highly-rated chief executive Karim Bitar, who joined the company just a month ago, said: <em>&#8220;I look forward to giving an update on our plans and progress next year.&#8221;</em> I&#8217;d expect this to be alongside full-year results in February.</p>
<p>At a share price of around 200p, CTEC trades at 20 times current-year forecast earnings. I&#8217;m hopeful Bitar&#8217;s plans for growth, an ongoing reduction of debt, and an improving business performance could see the share price continue to head north through 2020.</p>
<h2>Portfolio rationalisation</h2>
<p>FirstGroup announced its annual results back in May, along with a strategy update for its portfolio of five market-leading public transportation businesses in the UK and North America. It intends to make the latter its core market, centred on its contract-based operations First Student and First Transit. It said a formal sale process is underway for its iconic Greyhound intercity coaches business.</p>
<p>In the UK, it&#8217;s pursuing structural alternatives to separate its First Bus operations from the group. The long-term future of its First Rail business isn&#8217;t entirely clear yet, as management awaits the outcome of the UK government’s review into the structure of the whole rail industry.</p>
<h2>Unlocking value</h2>
<p>There&#8217;s been no further news on the portfolio rationalisation since the plans were announced in May. Meanwhile, at a share price of 129p, the group, as is, trades at 8.9 times forecast current-year earnings.</p>
<p>I&#8217;m convinced management is pursuing a strategy that will ultimately unlock value for investors, and I expect to see the shares rate higher through 2020. We should have an update on the rationalisation of the portfolio as early as the company&#8217;s half-year results on 14 November.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2019/10/30/2-ftse-250-stocks-id-buy-for-2020/">2 FTSE 250 stocks I&#8217;d buy for 2020</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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