If only…
Zotefoams (LSE: ZTF) makes cellular foams for markets including aerospace, automotive, packaging and sports and leisure. It has its headquarters and manufacturing base in Croydon, with facilities in the US and China. The business is growing nicely and is spending £31m on expanding its Kentucky plant to increase its global capacity by 20%. It recently announced a strategic partnership with Nike, which boosted the share price by 14% to hit a record high.
Be glad you didn’t…
High-street retailer Debenhams (LSE: DEB) has been struggling for a while as it battles competition from online sellers. A turnaround strategy announced in April 2017 was aimed at “simplifying and focusing operations”. But 2017 profits fell 44%, despite a 2.1% rise in like-for-like sales. Shareholders have had a tough year – it is the second-most shorted stock on the London market – and the price is down by more than 40% in the last year.