Since this time last year the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) has gained a reasonably solid 6.1%.
As pleasing as this gain is, it pales in comparison to the gains that a number of shares have made during the period.
Three big movers in the last 12 months are listed below. Can they keep climbing higher?
The a2 Milk Company Ltd (Australia) (ASX: A2M) share price has been far and away the best performer on the S&P/ASX 200 during the last 12 months with a staggering 94% gain. This was thanks largely to the strong demand for its a2 Platinum infant formula in China. Better-than-expected sales in the second-half led a2 Milk to recently upgrade its full-year sales guidance for a second time to NZ$545 million. This will be a 54% increase year-on-year. I believe its strong brand image and the relaxing of the one-child policy in China could mean there's plenty more growth ahead for the company. This could make it a great buy and hold investment option.
The Costa Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: CGC) share price has risen 73% since this time last year. Investors have been fighting to get hold of the shares of Australia's leading grower, packer, and marketer of fresh fruit and vegetables since it announced its first-half results in February. Strong demand and favourable pricing led to an impressive 35.7% increase in net profit and an upgrade to its full-year profit guidance. But with its shares changing hands at 32x trailing earnings, I think they are fully valued now. For this reason I would hold off making an investment and wait for a better entry point.
The Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB) share price has gained 67% in the last 12 months. The online travel agent's shares have gone gangbusters during this time thanks largely to strong bookings growth and market share gains from all its key businesses. This ultimately led to Webjet reporting a massive 96% jump in half-year net profit after tax. Despite the strong gain that its shares have made, I still feel that the seismic shift to booking online makes Webjet a great long-term investment option.
