Whereas US markets shudder within the wake of Chinese language synthetic intelligence (AI) competitor DeepSeek, the FTSE 100‘s holding up well. The UK’s main index climbed 70 factors because the week started, edging ever nearer to a brand new excessive above 8572.

An unlikely inventory main the cost on Tuesday (18 January) was steam administration firm Spirax Group (LSE: SPX). It’s up 16% year-to-date (YTD), making it one of many prime Footsie shares this month.

Previously Spirax-Sarco Engineering, the British producer designs and builds sustainable industrial options utilized in thermal vitality and fluid know-how. It’s comprised of three divisions: Steam Thermal Options, Electrical Thermal Options, and Watson-Marlow Fluid Expertise Options.

I don’t know a lot about steam and fluid vitality however Spirax is way from some antiquated boiler maker. Actually, it’s a UK chief in industrial decarbonisation. In response to the corporate, it’s “positioned to play a critical role in enabling the industrial transition to net zero”.

However that alone’s absolutely not the explanation for this month’s speedy positive factors. So I made a decision to take a better look.

Why the price surge?

Usually when a inventory surges I verify two issues. Did it submit a buying and selling replace, or has it been tipped by a dealer?

Spirax’s most up-to-date outcomes had been posted in November in order that’s not it. However main dealer Jefferies put in a Purchase ranking on the inventory on 20 January. It’s climbed 7% since, however was already up nearly 9% year-to-date on the time.

So what prompted the optimistic ranking? Discussing the ranking, Jefferies felt detrimental sentiment relating to the inventory was overblown. It stated “a number of the group’s recent issues are not yet fully resolved” however it expects a restoration within the subsequent two-to-three years.

Earlier than this 12 months’s restoration, the inventory price had slipped 60% from a five-year excessive of £170.45 in late 2021. It began this 12 months round £68.50 however is now nearing £80. The explanations for the sooner decline aren’t clear however are possible resulting from a worldwide industrial slowdown and uncertainty relating to the corporate’s valuation.

Addressing the problems, Spirax up to date its identify in early 2024 after which introduced on a brand new CFO Louisa Burdett in July. It additionally launched a sustainability technique dubbed ‘One Planet: Engineering with Purpose’.

Value contemplating?

Whereas the current positive factors are spectacular, I see little proof to counsel a definitive turnaround. The inventory loved the same restoration in late 2023, solely to dip once more simply as rapidly within the following quarter.

For buyers in search of development shares on the FTSE 100, I believe the next three look extra promising to contemplate.

IT providers supplier Computacenter jumped 7.2% yesterday (27 January) after releasing record-breaking outcomes for the second half of 2024. Jefferies put in a Purchase ranking on the inventory and analysts anticipate on common a 25.7% acquire within the coming 12 months.

Burberry‘s been blowing up the information recently after the well-known luxurious vogue home posted higher-than-expected gross sales for Q3 2024. The inventory surged 16% final week, bringing the price to a six-month excessive. 

Airtel Africa, with outcomes out this week, might make a shock restoration this 12 months. After promoting off non-core belongings, it goals to refocus on core markets and reignite development.