If you'd invested in: Huntsworth and Vectura
After a difficult few years, media group Huntsworth has restructured and seen its share price double.
If only...
Huntsworth (LSE: HNT) is a global media group providing marketing and medical communications services to healthcare clients. After a difficult few years following a major restructuring that saw it increasing its focus on the healthcare sector, the firm's shares have doubled over the past 12 months. Earlier this month Huntsworth reported solid 2017 results, during which sales rose by 9% to £197m, while pre-tax profit rocketed 54% higher to £24.4m. Free cash flow also increased, from £2.9m to £20.7m, giving support for a 15% hike in the total dividend.
Be glad you didn't...
Vectura Group (LSE: VEC) develops inhaled therapies for respiratory diseases. In the past year the firm has suffered blows from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Vectura is working with Hikma Pharmaceuticals on developing a generic replacement for rival GlaxoSmithKline's Advair asthma treatment, but the FDA withheld approval for the product last May. A launch is now unlikely to happen before 2020. This month Vectura also announced that annual losses grew from £40.1m in 2016 to £102.2m last year, after it wrote down the value of past acquisitions.
Subscribe to 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
Alice grew up in Stockholm and studied at the University of the Arts London, where she gained a first-class BA in Journalism. She has written for several publications in Stockholm and London, and joined MoneyWeek in 2017.
-
Private school fees soar and VAT threat looms – what does it mean for you?
Rising private school fees could see more than one in five parents pull their children out of their current school. Before you remortgage, move house or look to grandparents for help, here’s what you need to know.
By Katie Williams Published
-
Best and worst UK banks for online banking revealed
When it comes to keeping your money safe, not all banks are equal. We reveal the best and worst banks for online banking when it comes to protecting your money from scams
By Oojal Dhanjal Published