Shares in discount online fashion retailerMysale (LSE: MYSL) are up over 10% today after the company released a positive update. It stated that it expects to deliver a rise in sales for the full-year to the end of June 2015, with its performance stepping up in the second half of the year.
Furthermore, Mysale reported that its fourth quarter was profitable, with gross margins having improved as a result of driving through cost savings and making its business more efficient. This, combined with improving demand for the companys products, means that the health of its bottom line is improving. As such, shares in the company have risen by over 10% today on the back of the release.
Despite this, Mysales share price is still down 78% since it listed in June 2014, with a challenging Australian economy hurting its financial performance and leading to a severe profit warning late last year. As such, investor sentiment remains relatively weak despite the company having been backed by major UK retail players such as Sir Philip Green and Mike Ashley.
However, todays improved outlook, coupled with the appointment of a new Chairman, could be the start of an improved period for the business. And, with Australian monetary policy becoming increasingly loose, as well as an improved outlook for other key markets such as the UK, Mysale may be able to continue the strength that it has shown in the final quarter of its financial year. Prudent investors, though, may wish to await further evidence of this before buying a slice of the business.
Meanwhile, consultancy companyWYG (LSE: WYG) has been up by as much as 5% today despite no significant news flow having been released by the company. Of course, investor sentiment has been improved since the company announced a new 25m revolving credit facility last week and, looking ahead, the companys shares have significant capital gain potential over the medium term.
Thats because WYG is expected to post a rise in its bottom line of as much as 11% next year, which is an impressive growth rate. Despite this, the company trades on a price to earnings (P/E) ratio of just 11.8, which equates to a price to earnings growth (PEG) ratio of only 1. This indicates that the companys share price could continue the run that has seen it rise by 11% since the turn of the year.
Furthermore, WYG has significant income potential, with its yield of 1.2% having the scope to rise substantially in 2016 and beyond. Thats because, at the present time, WYG pays out just 14% of its net profit as a dividend, which indicates that dividend payouts could move much higher. For example, if it were to pay out half of its profit as a dividend, it would equate to a dividend yield of 4.3%, which is very enticing. And, with its bottom line set to grow at a brisk pace, shareholder payouts could move upwards very quickly, thereby making WYG a stock with great income potential as well as capital gain prospects.
Of course, there are a number of other small-cap stocks that could be worth buying right now and, with that in mind, the analysts at The Motley Fool have written a free and without obligation guide called 1 Top Small-Cap Stock From The Motley Fool.
The company in question may have flown under your investment radar until now, but could help you to build a great income from your investments and retire early, pay off the mortgage, or simply enjoy a more abundant lifestyle.
Click here to find out all about it – it’s completely free and comes without any obligation.
Peter Stephens has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.