LPA Group (Aim: LPA) designs and manufactures LED lighting systems from its headquarters in Cambridge. Having "entered the year at a gallop", the company confirmed in a trading statement in September that it was "still galloping", and is likely to exceed market expectations. Latest half-yearly results show revenue up by 32% and pre-tax profits up too. Brexit hasn't affected the outlook, which "appears to be extremely positive". Its shares are up by more than 130% in the last year.
Be glad you didn't
Wakefield-based Bonmarch (LSE: BON) sells clothes and accessories to "mature women" via shops and mail-order catalogues, and online. A "difficult" first quarter of 2016, with like-for-like sales down by 7.7%, was followed by an equally tough second quarter and "extremely poor" sales in September, leading to a second profits warning in 12 months and forecast of "considerable uncertainty" ahead. The share price has fallen by more than 70% in the last year.
MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Get the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis from our award-winning MoneyWeek team, to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.

-
Premium Bonds quiz: How much do you know about the NS&I savings product?Quiz Many savers choose Premium Bonds in the hopes of winning a prize in the monthly draws. How much do you know about the savings product?
-
UK dividends rose in final quarter of 2025, but share buybacks ate into investor payoutsLast year saw dividend growth continue to fall below pre-pandemic averages, against a backdrop of increasing share buybacks.
