The share market slowly trudges higher over the long-term as businesses increase their profits. However, there are a few lucky companies that create truly wonderful returns for investors over a 12-month period.
Here are five shares where the price has more than doubled over the past year:
Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS)
Its share price has increased by 114% over the past year thanks to the huge increase of interest about lithium. Electric vehicles and house batteries are rapidly growing in demand due to their eco-friendly and money-saving capabilities.
I don't think Pilbara will be able to double its share price again over the next year, however a rise in the lithium price could really help the company. Supply and demand factors are very fickle though.
Seven Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: SVW)
Seven Group's share price has risen by 103% during the past year. The business is an interesting conglomerate with stakes in the sectors of energy, construction and TV media. Sentiment about all three industries has turned positive in recent times, so it's no wonder Seven Group's share price has rocketed upwards.
I would be very surprised to see the Seven Group share price perform strongly again this year. Its businesses are quite cyclical and volatile, the share price could just as easily fall over the next few months.
WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)
WiseTech is a leading provider of mission-critical software to logistics services around the world. The company develops, sells and implements software solutions that facilitates the movement and storage of goods and information. Its share price has grown by a very impressive 145% over last 12 months.
WiseTech is the first on this list that I think could have a strong 2018. It's posting very impressive growth numbers and there's every chance that the business could surprise the market when it reports over the next two reporting seasons.
Lynas Corporation Ltd (ASX: LYC)
Lynas is an integrated source of rare earths from mine to customer. The company's resource deposit in Mt Weld, Western Australia, is acknowledged as the highest grade rare earths mine in the world. Its share price has grown by a rock-solid 175% over the past year.
I'm not sure that the share price will grow strongly again this year. Cyclical factors could see the share price go backwards in the next few months.
a2 Milk Company Ltd (Australia) (ASX: A2M)
The a2 Milk products are proving very popular and successful here and overseas. Each year the company impresses the market how much progress it has made. Over the past year the share price has grown by a whopping 226% today.
Although I don't expect another year of 200% growth, the share price could still easily beat the market if its upcoming reports manage to surprise the market yet again.
Foolish takeaway
Shareholders of all five companies should be very happy with themselves if they've held for over a year. At the current prices I'd only contemplate buying shares of a2 Milk and WiseTech, the other three are too cyclical in nature for me.
