LONDON -- A month can be a long time when looking at the share price of a particular stock. Here are two companies that have come out of the last 30 days at opposite ends of the profit/loss spectrum.
1. Homeserve
The share price of Homeserve (HSV) has advanced by over 24% during the last four weeks or so. This is in part, perhaps, on the back of its end-of-year results, released at the end of May.
However, the results weren't all glowing. Despite a 2% increase in revenue, the home emergency company posted a 16% downturn in profits, and a drop in EPS to 23 pence compared to 28 pence last year. So why the big buy-in? Well, it released a profit warning back in March and, as a result, the share price fell to 185 pence. And, while the results were slightly disappointing, they were not actually as bad as they could have been, or perhaps expected.
Aside from this, Homeserve has actually been making good progress internationally. Customer numbers are up 50% in Spain, and 25% in the U.S. Chief executive Richard Harpin stated that: "[The company had] made very good progress in growing our International businesses over the past year and these now account for over 50% of our customers. We continue to increase the number of International affinity partners with 12 new agreements signed during the past year covering over 5 million households."
2. Man Group
In stark contrast, the shares of Man Group (LSE: EMG) have fallen by a rather alarming 40%, to around 78 pence.
This follows news that broke at the beginning of June, stating that its flagship hedge fund, AHL, had suffered dramatic weekly losses that essentially wiped out its profits so far this year.
The $16.4 billion fund lost more than 10% of its value in May, and nearly all of these losses are being blamed on long positions held in global bond markets. These have been badly affected by the recent speculation of an end to quantitative easing measures in the U.S.
There is, however, some good news to report, as the stock had its buy rating reinstated by analysts at Canaccord Genuity on Wednesday.
Another two potential winners
It's been a great 30 days for Homeserve. And here are two other stocks that we think will not only have a good month, but a great year. You can download our detailed investment report on each, absolutely FREE. One is Our Top Growth Stock for 2013, and the other Our Top Income Stock for 2013. Make sure you read these before you buy your next stock, whatever style of investor you are!