We have some exciting news to share! The Motley Fool UK has now become The Twelfth Magpie -- an independent, UK-owned company, led by our long-serving UK management team — Mark Rogers, Chris Nials and Heather Adlington. In practical terms, it’s the same team you know, now fully focused on serving our UK readers and members.

Just as importantly, our approach remains unchanged: long-term, jargon-free, and on your side. This site is our new home, and there will be extra tweaks made across the coming few days as we settle in. So if anything looks a little off, please bear with us!

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

Could These 5 Mid-Caps Be The Stars Of 2015? Pace plc, Persimmon plc, Supergroup PLC, Galliford Try plc And Monitise Plc

Can Pace plc (LON:PIC), Persimmon plc (LON:PSN), Supergroup PLC (LON:SGP), Galliford Try plc (LON:GFRD) or Monitise Plc (LON:MONI) beat the wider index next year?

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

Pace

2014 has been an encouraging year for investors in Pace (LSE: PIC). Shares in the set-top box producer are up 11% thus far this year, with the company announcing recently that, owing to higher than expected margins, its full-year profit will be higher than previously anticipated. In fact, it’s set to be 17% greater than it was last year, which is a highly impressive growth rate and more than twice the forecast for the wider market this year.

Despite this, shares in Pace still trade on a low valuation. For example, their price to earnings (P/E) ratio is just 10.8, which means that their price to earnings growth (PEG) ratio is hugely appealing at just 0.6. As a result, Pace looks hugely appealing at its current share price and could be a top performer next year.

XXX

Persimmon

Although the UK housing market is undoubtedly cooling at the moment, there is still tremendous potential for house builders such as Persimmon (LSE: PSN). That’s because there is still a major undersupply of housing in the UK, and Persimmon looks set to enjoy strong revenue growth over the medium term as a result of this.

Indeed, Persimmon’s bottom line is forecast to grow by a whopping 43% in the current year, followed by 23% next year. And, with a P/E ratio of just 12.6, its PEG ratio of 0.3 is massively appealing and means that shares in the company could have an excellent 2015.

Supergroup

Although Supergroup (LSE: SGP) released a profit warning recently, it was almost entirely due to unseasonably warm weather that is not reflective of the company’s underlying performance.

Indeed, Supergroup is making encouraging progress and is forecast to increase its bottom line by 17% next year. With a P/E ratio of 14.7, this puts it on a highly desirable PEG ratio of just 0.8 and means that, after a disappointing 2014 that has seen its share price tumble by 40%, 2015 could be a much better year for the seller of Superdry branded goods.

Galliford Try

As with Persimmon, Galliford Try (LSE: GFRD) looks set to be a beneficiary of the high demand for housing in 2015 and beyond. For example, its bottom line is expected to rise by 14% next year, which is roughly twice the rate of growth of the wider index and would make it five years in a row of profit growth.

Despite this excellent track record and strong prospects, shares in Galliford Try continue to trade at a very appealing price. For instance, they have a PEG ratio of just 0.7, which indicates that growth is on offer at a very reasonable price and sets the company up for a strong 2015.

Monitise

Although Monitise (LSE: MONI) has vast long-term potential, its performance in 2014 has been hugely disappointing. That’s because shares in the mobile payment solutions company have fallen by 51% since the turn of the year, with uncertainty surrounding the future of key shareholder (and customer), Visa, weighing on investors’ minds.

While Monitise is expected to turn a profit for the first time in 2016, this should not be taken as a foregone conclusion by investors. That’s because moving from many years of losses to a profit can take longer than expected, and may be subject to delays that cannot be foreseen. So, while 2015 may be a better year than 2014 for investors in Monitise, it may struggle to achieve star status.

Peter Stephens owns shares of Galliford Try and Persimmon. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Pace. The Motley Fool UK owns shares of Monitise. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Friends and sisters exploring the outdoors together in Cornwall. They are standing with their arms around each other at the coast.
Investing Articles

£503 buys 14 shares in this FTSE 250 stock that returned 23.9% annually for the last 15 years

This FTSE 250 stock has averaged a huge return for 15 years. At today's price, £503 buys 14 shares. But…

Read more »

Black woman using loudspeaker to be heard
Investing Articles

£1,000 buys 25 shares in this FTSE 100 stock that’s returned 29.2% annually for the last 10 years

This FTSE 100 mining stock has returned close to 30% a year for a decade. At 3,995p, £1,000 buys 25…

Read more »

Female student sitting at the steps and using laptop
Investing Articles

Down 47%, is this growth stock finally worth buying in May?

With a £288m order book and a hidden pipeline of defence and nuclear contracts, is this growth stock now too…

Read more »

House models and one with REIT - standing for real estate investment trust - written on it.
Investing Articles

2 REITs yielding 7%+ to consider for passive income in 2026

A REIT backed by the NHS and another backed by Tesco and Sainsbury's with both yielding 7%+. Here's why I'm…

Read more »

Woman riding her old fashioned bicycle along the Beach Esplanade at Aberdeen, Scotland.
Investing Articles

Just 97 shares of this UK dividend stock generate £238 in passive income

A 5.7% yield, £238 in passive income from just 97 shares, and one of the most divisive dividend stocks on…

Read more »

ISA coins
Investing Articles

£10,000 in an ISA generates a second income of…

The London Stock Exchange is home to some of the world's most generous dividends. But how big a second income…

Read more »

Shot of a senior man drinking coffee and looking thoughtfully out of a window
Investing Articles

Expert recommendations: 2 top income stocks yielding 7%+!

With yields of 7.2% and 7.8% respectively, these two income stocks are catching the eyes of institutional analysts. Should investors…

Read more »

Illustration of flames over a black background
Investing Articles

3 top income-focused stocks to buy in May 2026, according to experts

Looking for a stock to buy for income in May 2026? Experts have flagged these three UK dividend shares as…

Read more »