LONDON -- The FTSE 100 (INDEX: ^FTSE) may be well off its 13-year high of 6,876 points set on May 22 -- it finished today at 6,330, down 546 points from that level -- but at least the index of top U.K. shares is still a long way above its 52-week low of 5,436 and is up 15% over the past year, and that would usually be considered an impressive result.
But which individual shares are managing to set new records? Here are three from the various indexes that are soaring to new heights.
Kingfisher (KGF +2.39%)
Kingfisher, the owner of the U.K.'s B&Q and Screwfix brands, as well as a number of other European outlets, saw its share price regain a 52-week high of 355 pence today. The shares closed at 354 pence today and are up nearly 30% over the past 12 months -- and the price has just about tripled since the lowest point of 2009.
After the price rise, Kingfisher shares now trade on a P/E multiple of 15 based on forecasts for the year to January 2104, dropping to 13 for the following year -- and there's a dividend yield of about 3% expected.
Sports Direct (SPD +2.45%)
Shares in Sports Direct International have soared more than 75% over the past year, hitting a new 12-month high of 539 pence today and finishing the day at 527 pence.
The firm's announcement last month of two major acquisitions in Europe lent support to current forecasts of good growth in the coming years. City analysts are expecting a 35% rise in earnings per share for the year ended April 2013, and the company's pre-close update released in April gave us every reason to think that should be pretty close.
Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT +0.00%)
The biggest riser of today's three is Daily Mail and General Trust, whose price has more than doubled in the past year -- and it's been bouncing around between 750 pence and 780 pence for a few weeks, reaching 778 pence again today before closing at 770 pence. MailOnline has given the company a solid boost over the past year, ranking as the world's most visited news website -- and online advertising is in the midst of a resurgence right now.
Forecasts for the year to September suggest a modest 4% rise in earnings, but even after the doubling of the price, the shares are still only on a forward P/E of 15, which is only slightly ahead of the FTSE's long-term average of about 14.
Finally, if you're looking for high-performing top-drawer shares that should take you all the way to a comfortable retirement, I recommend the Fool's special new report detailing five blue-chip shares. They'll be familiar names to many, and they've already provided investors with decades of profits. But the report will only be available for a limited period, so click here to get your hands on these great ideas -- they could set you on the road to long-term riches.
