But how much money have investors actually made?

Five-year returns of UK shares

Let’s say someone put £5,000 to work five years ago in April 2021. The amount of money they have today ultimately depends on where they decide to invest this capital.

Looking at the results, it seems that quality large-cap stocks have stolen the show, with mid- and small-cap shares lagging.

There are several explanations behind these patterns. Smaller businesses are typically more dependent on domestic economic conditions, with larger players often generating the bulk of their revenue from overseas. And it’s no secret that the UK economy isn’t exactly in terrific shape at the moment.

However, that doesn’t mean that UK small-cap shares have been bad investments. For smart stock pickers, this area of the stock market has generated some very lucrative gains that have even outpaced the FTSE 100. And one such example is Goodwin (LSE:GDWN).

Even after a recently dramatic sell-off, the once-small-cap stock has still surged by almost 300%. And for anyone who’s been reinvesting dividends paid along the way, that total return has been closer to 360%, transforming £5,000 into a staggering £23,000!

So the question now, following the sell-off, is whether a rare buying opportunity has emerged for this high-quality compounder?

What’s going on with Goodwin?

Following a recent trading update, Goodwin shares collapsed by close to 48% in a single day.

The cause? The update revealed that two significant contract tenders worth roughly £60m were unexpectedly lost. And when compounding this with the impact of order delays coming from the Middle East, management signalled its intention to revert to a more cautious dividend policy. Obviously, that isn’t good news.

But it’s worth pointing out that even with the update, the group’s underlying order book is still pretty substantial. At the same time, the defence and nuclear power tailwinds Goodwin’s been riding are still very much intact.

The sudden contract losses undoubtedly raise some questions about Goodwin’s competitive positioning. But two contract losses aren’t enough to determine a structural rather than a one-off problem.

As such, seeing the market-cap effectively chopped in half definitely seems like an extreme overreaction. However, it’s worth highlighting that Goodwin shares were trading at a massive premium of over 40 times earnings.

Today, with the price-to-earnings ratio now sitting closer to around 22, investors may be looking at an attractive entry point for what is still one of the best-performing UK shares of all time. That’s why I think now’s the perfect time to investigate and mull this potential buying opportunity.

The post £5,000 invested in UK shares 5 years ago is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Despite these stellar returns, most investors have never heard of this under-the-radar business. What’s more, there’s currently no coverage from institutional analysts either.

So what exactly does this business do? Why has the stock suddenly exploded, and is it too late for investors to consider buying?

A hidden gem

Let’s start with a quick introduction. Goodwin’s a specialist engineering business that manufactures high-integrity steel castings as well as metallurgical powders used in high-temperature industrial processes. Its niche focus makes it easy to overlook.

But in October 2025, management widened its horizons. After years of positioning itself as a preferred incumbent supplier for naval defence programmes, management gradually secured a series of lucrative defence contracts. This includes deals to supply components for the US and Royal Navy for nuclear submarines, destroyers, frigates, and aircraft carries.

The combined impact of these deals is game-changing. And the company announced pre-tax profits for fiscal 2026 (ending in April) are now expected to reach at least £71m, representing a minimum 100% jump in year on year earnings.

This isn’t just a one-time gain either. The company’s now embedded in multi-decade contracts with some spanning into the 2040s and even 2060s, giving Goodwin an unprecedented level of long-term revenue visibility that other industrial companies can only dream of.

The subsequent pricing power that comes with its preferred supplier status has boosted the firm’s return on equity to an industry-leading 35%. And when combining rapid growth with exceptional shareholder value creation, it’s no wonder this FTSE 250 stock has skyrocketed.

What could go wrong?

As a business, Goodwin looks borderline flawless. Even the balance sheet is in tip-top shape. But like all investments, buying shares today still comes with risk.

After such a stellar surge in its share price, the engineering specialist trades at a pretty lofty premium of 45 times earnings. That’s not entirely unjustified, given the secure nature of its future cash flows. Nevertheless, it opens the door to significant volatility. And this is at risk of being massively amplified due to its ownership structure.

A big reason why institutional investors have ignored this business is that there are very few shares available to buy. The Goodwin family owns close to 54% of the business either directly or indirectly through a private holding company. And with only 2.7 million shares out of 7.5 million available for trading, liquidity is extremely thin.

Put simply, even a modest amount of selling pressure could trigger violent price movements. And if the controlling Goodwin family start making questionable strategic decisions, a lot of the recent share price gains could quickly disappear.

The bottom line

Goodwin’s ownership structure makes it exceptionally difficult for institutional investors to build meaningful positions. Luckily for retail investors, that’s a problem they don’t have. And while the lack of coverage certainly makes due diligence harder, it also means fewer investors are paying attention to a genuinely exceptional FTSE 250 business.

That’s why, despite the risks, I’m taking a much closer look at this enterprise.

The post Up 241%! Why is no one talking about this gem of a FTSE 250 stock? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Many investors, me included, now have outsized exposure to BAE Systems, with its shares soaring 50% in the last year, and 325% over five. It’s a mighty £50bn business but looks expensive with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio pushing 30. Is there better value elsewhere?

Goodwin is a good ‘un

Family run engineering group Goodwin (LSE: GDWN) has a history stretching back to 1883 and has built a global business around precision engineering for the energy and industrial sectors. Today, the FTSE 250-listed group’s defence arm is leading the charge.

I was all ready to buy Goodwin a year ago, then got distracted. Now I feel it’s too late with the shares up a painful 290% over 12 months (painful for me, that is). Over five years they’re up almost 900%, lifting its market cap to £2bn. Investors who think BAE Systems is too expensive will tremble at Goodwin’s P/E though, which is nudging 82.

Expectations are just too high. In December, first-half trading profit almost doubled to £37.2m, but the shares still retreated. Some might consider Goodwin with a long-term view, but it’s too expensive for me.

Chemring is on fire too

Defence-tech specialist Chemring Group (LSE: CHG) is a sluggard by comparison, it shares are up 45% over one year and ‘only’ 85% over five.

They’ve stalled over the last six months though, despite it reporting a 31% increase in pre-tax earnings to £67.7m in December. Chemring’s order book climbed by a fifth to a record £1.34bn. That provides 76% coverage for 2026 earnings.

Lately, the shares have trailed, as mentioned. Its Sensors & Information business has been hit by delays in UK government spending and contract timings, while costs have been higher than expected on certain projects, notably its Norwegian plant. 

Chemring is winning high-margin business in intelligence work, via its Roke division, and that could drive growth in future. With a P/E of 26.5 and market cap of just £1.4bn, I think it’s worth considering for investors looking to diversify away from big gun BAE Systems.

Qinetiq almost looks a bargain

Finally, there’s Qinetiq Group (LSE: QQ), which may tempt bargain seekers like me. It shares are up a modest 28% over the year, and 75% over five. The P/E is easily the lowest here at 19.1. The market cap is £2.7bn.

Last month, Qinetiq forecast organic annual revenue growth of 3%, which is modest for this sector, citing near-term uncertainty over client spending. It nonetheless boasts an order backlog of around £5bn, and a qualified pipeline of £11bn, which says gives it “long-term visibility”. Cash flow is strong too.

Qinetiq has posted some big wins, including mission critical engineering services for Typhoon jets, while its DragonFire laser programme will deliver next‑generation counter‑drone capabilities for the Royal Navy. With laser shots costing as little as £10, this could be a huge growth area given the changing nature of warfare.

Qinetiq strikes me most as worth a further look. But I’d say BAE Systems and Chemring are also worth considering today with a long-term view as the world sadly gets more warlike.

The post 3 red-hot FTSE 250 defence stocks to consider over BAE Systems appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

So want to start earning £45,000 a year from the stock market without having to work for it? Here’s how to get started.

Setting targets

On average, UK shares typically pay a dividend yield of around 4%. But with a bit of careful selection, it’s possible to craft a portfolio that provides a payout closer to 5% without taking on too much additional risk.

At this elevated rate, to earn £45,000 a year passively, a portfolio needs to be valued at £900,000. That’s certainly a daunting figure that may seem impossible to reach. But the reality is. Thanks to compounding, anyone who can put aside £500 each month can reach this threshold given enough time.

Assuming the custom income portfolio also generates a further 3% in capital gains each year, the total return sits at 8% – roughly the same as the UK stock market average. And by consistently investing £500 a month at this rate for just 32 years, a portfolio will surpass the £900k threshold when starting from scratch.

That’s a nice way to set up a strong retirement, but waiting for three decades is far from ideal. This is where better stock picking can save the day.

What if instead of earning 8%, a smarter investor earns closer to 12%? In this scenario, the journey is shortened by seven years.

Unlocking higher gains

While simple on paper, unlocking a double-digit annualised return is far easier said than done. However, there are plenty of UK shares that have delivered even better results as Goodwin (LSE:GDWN) shareholders have learned first-hand.

Over the last 20 years, the engineering group has generated a jaw-dropping 6,762% total return for shareholders. That’s the equivalent of a 23.5% annualised return.

Just to put this extraordinary performance into perspective, anyone whose been drip feeding £500 a month in Goodwin shares since 2006 is now sitting on a life-changing £2,656,958 – enough to generate a £132,848 passive income if reinvested at a 5% yield.

Is it too late?

At a market-cap of £2bn, Goodwin’s days of generating 20%+ annualised returns are likely in the rear-view mirror. But that doesn’t mean the stock can’t continue to be a market beater.

The group’s order book continues to expand, revenue growth is still surging and operating profits are following along. And this momentum is only being further amplified by the group’s recent partnership with Northrop Grumman, which turned Goodwin into a sole-supplier for a critical component in a 30-year US submarine contract.

However, while transformational, this partnership also introduces significant customer concentration risk that’s only amplified by the cyclical nature of its other contracts. And should its relationship with Northrop Grumman end earlier than expected, or recessions shift infrastructure project priorities by the UK or US governments, Goodwin’s lofty valuation exposes the shares to potentially extreme volatility.

Nevertheless, with an impressive track record of defying expectations, this business could be worth a closer look.

The post How to target a £45,000 passive income with UK shares and never work again! appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

But few often realise just how simple it might be to turn this dream into a reality. All it might take is three simple steps that anyone can start right now.

Prepare, save, invest

In 2026, the stock market continues to be the best way for ordinary people to build long-term wealth. But before someone can begin their wealth-building journey, some preparation’s needed.

The stock market can and will occasionally throw a tantrum, creating substantial volatility in even a diversified portfolio. The same’s true of life in general. A car can suddenly break down, or a leak starts coming through the roof.

To protect against these unexpected scenarios, the first thing investors need to do is build an emergency fund. The amount needed depends on the individual. But a good general rule of thumb is to put aside at least six months of living expenses.

The next step is to start saving consistently. Whenever a paycheck comes in, take a chunk of whatever’s left after critical bills (rent, food, etc.) and keep it aside. Then, finally, with an emergency fund and a healthy monthly savings habit in place, it’s time to start putting those savings to work by investing in the stock market.

If the goal is to beat today’s State Pension of £12,548 a year, then following the 4% withdrawal rule, a portfolio will need to be worth at least £313,700. But by investing a modest sum each month, like £350, at an 8% average annualised rate, this target could be hit within just under 25 years.

Let’s speed things up

Being patient for 25 years is obviously less than ideal. But while there’s no magic bullet to suddenly unlock over 300 grand overnight, there are some clever ways to speed things along, like stock picking.

Anyone who chose to invest £350 each month directly into Goodwin (LSE:GDWN) shares instead of an index fund over the last 15 years is already beating the State Pension.

Since January 2011, Goodwin shares have generated a total return of 2,563%. That’s the equivalent of 24.5% a year. And £350 invested each month during this impressive period is now worth £634,547 in 2026 – enough to double the State Pension!

Still worth considering?

By supplying niche-but-critical alloy castings and other industrial materials, Goodwin has transformed itself into a key supplier for numerous industries, including aerospace, nuclear, and defence, among others.

In 2026, the structural demand for its materials remains in place, and is only being amplified by the growing levels of geopolitical tensions and a fortress balance sheet. But that doesn’t make it risk-free.

Its Mechanical Engineering segment is sensitive to highly cyclical industries like oil & gas as well as mining. And prolonged downturns in these key markets can weigh down on Goodwin’s performance.

Bottom line: at a market cap of £1.8bn, Goodwin shares may struggle to continue generating a near-25% annualised return for shareholders. But there nonetheless remains ample room for growth that investors seeking to eventually beat the State Pension can capitalise on. That’s why I think this stock deserves a closer look in 2026.

The post 3 steps aimed at getting richer, retiring early, and beating the State Pension appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Goodwin shares fly

One of them already shooting the lights out is family-run engineering group Goodwin (LSE: GDWN). A business that stretches back to 1883, it’s steadily built a global business around precision engineering for the defence, energy, and industrial sectors. Last year, the shares went bananas.

I planned to buy before its preliminary results on 30 July but forgot while sunning myself on a Spanish beach. When I returned, the Goodwin share price had rocketed after preliminary results showed profits jumping 47% to £35.5m on revenue of £220m.

The shares have continued to smash it, boosted by a major US submarine partnership and a special dividend in October. Its shares are up 225% in a year and 695% over five. But with a price-to-earnings ratio of 71, they’re just too expensive for me today. And yes, I’m still kicking myself.

Chemring Group’s a winner too

Shares in Chemring Group (LSE: CHG), which makes defence countermeasures, sensors and explosives, are up 62% in the last year. In December, it reported a 31% jump in pre-tax earnings for the year to 31 October, with orders up a fifth to £1.35bn. The board has ambitious plans to double revenue to around £1bn by 2030.

The dreadful war in Ukraine and wider geopolitical uncertainty are clear drivers, as with all these stocks. A much-longed-for sudden peace deal, supply chain issues, or technical delays could hit growth. However, Chemring’s much cheaper than Goodwin, with a P/E of 27.5, and that gives it the edge for me. Defence sector P/Es are elevated across the board. For example, Babcock’s is at 29 and BAE Systems at 30.

Qinetiq lacks energy

Qinetiq Group (LSE: QQ) is the exception. It looks relatively cheap, with a P/E of 19.2. This is largely down to its relatively disappointing performance. The shares are up a modest 22% in the last year, trailing an otherwise bumper sector.

In November, Qinetiq posted a 4.9% drop in first-half earnings to £900.4m, which it blamed on the restructuring of its North American operations, and some order delays as clients focused on bigger contracts. It still secured £2.42bn of orders, up 133% on last year’s £1.03bn, while underlying net cash flow remained robust at £127.9m.

Qinetiq also has a £316m contract to deliver counter-drone capabilities for the Royal Navy, which is surely a huge growth area as robotic warfare takes off. I’ll need to do more research, but it’s the one I think investors could consider first, due to that modest P/E. It has scope to play catch-up, if it sorts itself out.

Investors should form their own view, which will partly depend on existing holdings. I’m heavily exposed to BAE Systems, so don’t need more sector exposure right now. And I think I’ve missed the boat with Babcock, following its unbelievable run.

The post Are these 3 under-the-radar FTSE 250 defence stocks set to fly like Babcock and BAE Systems? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Even when following the basic strategy of investing in index funds, £20,000 left to compound for a decade grows to more than double at an 8% annualised rate. And by maxing out the ISA allowance every year during this decade, this amount surges to just over £300,000!

Yet, this could be just the tip of the iceberg. For successful stock pickers, even without making any extra contributions, a £20,000 Stocks and Shares ISA 10 years ago could now be worth more than £340,000. Here’s how.

A quiet multi-bagger

With most investors distracted by prominent FTSE 100 stocks such as Lloyds or Rolls-Royce, not many investors have Goodwin (LSE:GDWN) on their radars. Yet, despite this lack of popularity, Goodwin shares have been among the best-performing investments of the last decade.

As a quick introduction, Goodwin is a UK-based specialist engineering group manufacturing high-integrity machined castings and mineral-based powders. It’s certainly not an institution most people encounter every day. But for the energy, jewellery, defence, mining, and steel industries, Goodwin sits at the heart of the value chain.

Since 2015, management’s shifted focus away from the cyclical oil & gas sector to capitalise on more consistent opportunities within the defence and nuclear sectors. And through a series of substantial contract wins as well as cornering the jewellery market among emerging countries, the profits have just continued to quietly compound.

The result? A 1,603.6% total return since December 2015. That’s the equivalent of 32.8% a year – 4.1 times more than the UK stock market’s average performance!

Still worth considering?

The result of all this phenomenal success is that Goodwin shares are now trading close to an all-time high. And yet, with a market-cap of just £1.55bn, the group still has plenty of momentum in its growth engine.

After securing lengthy submarine and nuclear contracts, its order book stretches out for years, not months. Goodwin’s recent partnership with Northrop Grumman has opened the door to the US defence supply chain. And with manufacturing efficiency on the rise, profit margins are seemingly set to expand even further.

This growth trajectory’s only being accelerated by the rise in global defence spending, particularly within the UK and Europe.

However, this also serves as a double-edged sword. If political priorities shift, defence spending could suffer, reducing opportunities for expansion. What’s more, it’s important to highlight that the Goodwin family still control the lion’s share of voting power, with the governance often being criticised for the lack of independent directors.

Put simply, if the Goodwin family start making questionable decisions, there’s little recourse available for shareholders.

Obviously, not everyone has the risk tolerance for investing in what essentially amounts to a private fiefdom.

Nevertheless, the Goodwin family have proven to be excellent stewards of their engineering empire. And with such an impressive track record combined with ample growth opportunity, it’s a business I’m currently considering for my own Stocks and Shares ISA.

The post Here’s how much a £20,000 Stocks and Shares ISA can be worth after 10 years of investing appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Goodwin (LSE: GDWN) is a family-run engineering group that’s taken off in the past six months. For a business that started life as an iron foundry in the late 1800s, it’s come a long way. After a volatile foray into oil and gas, it adopted a strategic shift into high-growth defence and nuclear markets.

That seems to have lit a fire under the FTSE 250 stock, with the share price up almost 180% since May.

So what’s driving the growth and, more importantly, is it rational or overblown?

Critical contract wins

Around half of the recent growth came after the group announced a lucrative partnership with American defence contractor Northrop Grumman. This strategic collaboration covers four key defence programmes with an initial $16m order, with further orders expected to reach $200m as US submarine programmes receive funding releases.

The cherry on top is an exclusivity agreement to serve as the sole supplier for a critical component worth up to 30% of the deal.

But it’s not just defence – backing Goodwin’s growth prospects is a broadly diversified business. It also builds the critical fuel storage racks for Sellafield, the UK’s nuclear decommissioning site. It has 100 units in its order book already, with further call-offs expected, providing long-term revenue visibility.

Furthermore, it builds heavy-duty submersible pumps for the global mining industry, which are reportedly on track to deliver a 30% year-on-year increase in orders.

Long story short, this is a business with its fingers in many pies — some very lucrative, in-demand pies.

But is it still good value?

Despite its moderate £1.56bn market-cap, Goodwin stock trades at around £200 per share. That makes it the most expensive stock on both the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250. But these days, most brokers sell fractional shares, so the per-share price is less important than how it compares to earnings.

Naturally, I wasn’t expecting to find a low price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio on a surging growth stock. But last Friday, the stock price took a 10% dive, which has helped reduce its bloated valuation. Still, with a P/E of 58 and a P/E growth (PEG) ratio of 1.5, the market may be expecting too much here. 

At the same time, its exceptional cash flow is attractive. Using a discounted cash flow (DCF) model, analysts estimate it’s trading at 27.3% below fair value. 

My verdict

As the US government shutdown ends and the Autumn Budget approaches, we’ll soon have more clarity on the state of the global economy.

Until then, I myself am holding off on buying any growth stocks. Troubles in the US could hurt Goodwin’s profits, particularly regarding the new Northrop contract. Having recently launched a new aerospace division and made multiple acquisitions, execution risk is another factor to note.

But with decades of proven growth, a solid business model and strong cash flow, I think it would be an excellent long-term stock to consider. And if the market does wobble, I’ve recently covered several stable defensive stocks to help safeguard a portfolio against volatility. 

The post With a 23% annual return, could this growth stock be too good to ignore? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

On Tuesday (28 October), its shares briefly touched £238, up from around £135 just a week earlier.

That’s quite a move for a family-run firm that’s been around since 1883. But what exactly does Goodwin do, and is this surge sustainable?

A quiet achiever within the FTSE 250

Goodwin isn’t the kind of household name that dominates investment chatter. Yet its reach across heavy engineering, defence, and energy is substantial. The company manufactures high-spec castings and bespoke components – think radar antennas, precision valves, and specialist materials for oil and gas infrastructure.

Its products often end up in places where reliability isn’t optional, whether that’s a fighter jet radar or a nuclear reactor.

The firm’s mix of engineering excellence and niche market exposure has paid off handsomely this year. On Monday, the board announced that pre-tax profit for the year ending April 2026 was now expected to hit roughly £71m, almost double last year’s figure.

It wasn’t just profits turning heads – the board also unveiled a special dividend of 532p per share, alongside an interim payout of 140p. With a dividend coverage ratio of 3.88, those payments look well funded by cash flow.

Add to that a robust £365m order book spanning defence, nuclear, aerospace and mining contracts, and the outlook certainly appears well supported.

What could go wrong?

Still, I think it’s worth remembering that rapid growth can create as many challenges as it solves. With the share price jumping so far, so fast, Goodwin now trades on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio above 60 – a figure that makes even seasoned growth investors take a pause.

When a company’s valuation gets that rich, it doesn’t take much disappointment to knock confidence.

A key risk for it lies in its exposure to cyclical industries. Defence demand tends to hold up well, but projects in oil and gas or mining can fluctuate with commodity cycles. Delays in large contracts could also squeeze earnings momentum.

Another concern could be supply-chain pressures, which have hit several industrial manufacturers since the pandemic. While its long-term partnerships offer some protection, margins could come under strain if costs keep climbing.

A long-term story to watch

Despite those concerns, I think there’s still a lot to like here. Goodwin’s mix of specialist engineering capability and diversified end markets gives it a resilience that many mid-cap peers might envy. Its family ownership tends to foster long-term thinking, and its track record of reinvesting profits in high-value niches has created a solid base for future growth.

Valuation aside, the company fits neatly into the broader FTSE 250 narrative of British mid-caps quietly excelling on the global stage. For investors seeking diversified exposure to aerospace and defence, Goodwin’s a fascinating stock to consider.

The share price might have sprinted ahead of itself this week, but in my view, the story underneath remains strong. I’ll be keeping a close eye on whether this under-the-radar FTSE 250 gem can keep up its momentum once the dust settles.

The post Up 50% in a week! This under-the-radar FTSE 250 stock is crushing the market appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

I’ve had a few over the years, but this one really hurts. I’m talking about family-run engineering group Goodwin (LSE: GDWN).

I last wrote about Goodwin for The Motley Fool on 28 September, saying it was the first share I’d buy if markets dipped. Back then, I thought I’d missed the boat. Since then, the boat’s not only sailed, it’s powered off into the sunset.

Goodwin is a real whopper

Goodwin has been a remarkable long-term performer. Founded in 1883, the Stoke-on-Trent-based family firm has built a global business around engineering precision parts for the defence, energy and industrial sectors. 

Roughly 70% of sales now come from overseas, with 18 manufacturing sites across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. 

That international spread gives it exposure to faster-growing markets and a cushion against local slowdowns. Over the past 20 years, total returns have exceeded 4,600%, and the family still runs the business with an eye on the next generation, not the next quarter.

I planned to buy the stock before its results on 30 July but bungled my timing. Holidays got in the way, and by the time I checked, the shares were rocketing after profits jumped 47% to £35.5m on revenue of £220m. Defence and nuclear markets were booming.

I told myself to stay patient, as shares often retreat after good results. Not this one. Instead, Goodwin has delivered one positive update after another, sending the stock almost vertical.

Explosive share price gains

On 24 September, Goodwin announced a major submarine partnership with US defence contractor Northrop Grumman. Then, on Monday (27 October), the board dropped another ‘bombshell’, a profit upgrade and a special dividend.

Management now forecasts trading profit before tax to top £71m, compared to £35.5m last year. The company also declared a one-off interim dividend of 532p a share. Its order book has climbed to £365m, with visibility on several new defence and nuclear contracts still to come. Ouch, that hurts.

In the three months since I hesitated, the shares have climbed 149%. Over 12 months, they’ve soared 210%. Over five years, they’re up an astonishing 595%. It’s turning into the next Rolls-Royce story, just with less fanfare. And without me on board.

High expectations

Is it just getting started? I suspect it may slow from here, trading on a hefty price-to-earnings ratio of around 63. I could be wrong though. With a market cap of £1.54bn, it still has room to grow.

Any disappointment would hit the stock hard. Recent strength stems from the booming defence sector, so if the longed-for peace unexpectedly breaks out in Ukraine, sentiment could ease and orders slow. I already hold BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce, so I’m cautious about further exposure.

Investors might consider buying if they believe the momentum will last, yet I’m wary. But really, I’m not the man to ask.

Still, spotting Goodwin early shows my research was sound. I can see other big fish across the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 today. I just need to hook them before they wriggle free.

The post Up another 150% in 3 months – is this FTSE 250 stock just getting started? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.