Two UK shares in my Self-Invested Private Pension (SIPP) have placed on a robust present this yr, and I’ve received excessive hopes for 2025.

The primary is engineering and development specialist Costain Group (LSE: COST). Its shares are up a shocking 65.62% during the last 12 months. I purchased them on 29 November final yr and I’m personally up 71%, so I’m a cheerful bunny.

The Costain share price plunged as delayed and disputed infrastructure merchandise compelled the board to problem two revenue warnings, in 2019 and 2020. Prices overran and it received embroiled in contract disputes.

The share price might do it once more in 2025

I felt the worst was over final yr and the corporate had one massive think about its favour – a fats and juicy financial institution steadiness. It boasted £194m of web money towards a market-cap of simply £188m. With rates of interest excessive, the cash was rolling in, just by leaving that pile within the financial institution. It’s since helped fund a £10bn share buyback.

Costain has continued to win contracts this yr, driving the order e-book up to £4.3bn. On 4 December, it secured one other price £400m, with HS2.

Regardless of the share price surge, Costain nonetheless seems first rate worth, buying and selling at 8.44 occasions earnings. At the moment, three analysts have one-year share price forecasts, and so they’ve set a median goal of 145.5p. That’s up 38.6% from right this moment’s 105p. All three label Costain shares a Robust Purchase.

Costain isn’t with out dangers. It depends on a gradual stream of huge public infrastructure merchandise and in the event that they don’t come by gross sales will stoop. That’s a fear provided that the state of the UK’s funds.

Earnings might be bumpy as outdated tasks finish and new ones start. Particularly if there’s a spot between the 2. One other threat is that it underprices when pitching for enterprise. However I stay optimistic given the sound fundamentals.

Warpaint shares are on the march

Color cosmetics specialist Warpaint (LSE: W7L) is one other massive portfolio winner. Its W7 and Technic manufacturers are offered at Tesco and main retailers within the US and Europe, topped up by on-line gross sales from its personal web site.

Shares on this AIM-listed enterprise are up 64.92% during the last yr. Over 5 years they’re up a staggering 507%. Sadly, I didn’t purchase till 16 January this yr, so I’m sitting on a comparatively modest 28.9% acquire.

On 29 November, dealer Berenberg added Warpaint to its checklist of prime inventory picks for 2025. The identical day, RBC Markets forecast income development of round 13% a yr by to 2026, whereas praising its “accessible, on-trend, quality cosmetic range at an affordable price”.

Affordability is the important thing phrase. That’s helped Warpaint develop steadily all through the cost-of-living disaster.

Magnificence’s a fickle enterprise, in fact. One other fear is that development prospects are priced in, with the shares buying and selling at 29.18 occasions earnings. They spiked after Warpaint posted report first-half gross sales and better margins on 17 September, however quickly retreated.

Warpaint has traded sideways for the final six months however I count on it to be again on the warpath in 2025.