Patisserie, Cranswick and Merlin Entertainments

“The FTSE100 opened in negative territory with traders looking to the Bank of England's financial stability report and FPC statement later this morning, and US preliminary GDP numbers this afternoon,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“The British appetite for cake shows no sign of abating with Patisserie reporting its tenth consecutive year of revenue and profit growth despite uncertain economic conditions. Its performance for the first eight weeks of the current financial year has been equally encouraging and it has already opened six new stores. Patisserie has a strong pipeline for the year ahead with a number of promising locations already secured. Patisserie’s shares were up more than 5.4% in early trading.

“Gourmet sausage producer Cranswick’s shares were up in early trading after a strong first half. Crown Chicken, which was acquired in April, has made a particularly positive contribution to the business and is combining well with the group's pre-existing poultry activity.

“Theme park group Merlin Entertainments is on track to hit its growth forecasts after a strong Halloween period which was helped by the Indian summer. Good progress has also been made towards Merlin's 2020 milestones, including the opening of LEGOLAND Dubai and Madame Tussauds in Istanbul.”

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