If you'd invested in: Filtronic and Revolymer

If only...

Leeds-based Filtronic (Aim: FTC) makes microwave electronic components for the communications and defence industries. Despite only having a small number of customers, things are going well with the rollout of a new product launched last year. The firm is not currently profitable, but losses are falling. And in its latest trading update, it reported first-half revenue of £21.6m, compared with just £4.5m for the same period in the previous year. The shares are up by more than 130% in the last year.

Be glad you didn't...

Revolymer (Aim: REVO) makes polymers used in consumer goods. It's been busy making deals this year selling its nicotine gum business and expanding into the US. It counts Neil Woodford among its major shareholders his fund owns 34% of the shares. But it seems the market isn't satisfied with how quickly the loss-making firm is progressing. Since listing in 2012, Revolymer's shares have fallen by more than 70%. In the last year, they've fallen by almost 60%.

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