Miners have fallen out of the top five performing stocks on the FTSE 350 after initially dominating the index when we updated the market last month.
One of the last stocks standing in the sector is Kazakhstan-focused KAZ Minerals (KAZ), up 30% so far this year.
It has benefited from a stronger copper price, driven by decent demand and industry supply disruptions.
WHO IS THE TOP FTSE 350 PERFORMER?
Software reseller Softcat (SCT) is currently the cream of the crop as its shares have jumped an impressive 34% to 396.7 this year.
The company sells third-party software to small and medium-sized (SME) UK-based firms.
In its half year results, management unveiled a strong set of figures with double-digit revenue growth in software, hardware and services divisions, as well as higher demand for personal computers.
TRANSFORMATIONAL TURNAROUND
Security firm G4S (GFS) has also been on a roll with a 30% jump in its share price to 304.7p, which was largely achieved through good progress with its transformation strategy announced on 8 March.
Since the strategy started in 2013 following a profit warning, the company boosted sales by 15% and generated operating cash flow of £1.9bn.
Other strong performers include estate agent Savills (SVS) and molten metal flow engineer Vesuvius (VSVS).
WHICH STOCKS HAVE STRUGGLED?
The recent departure of chief executive and co-founder Chris Silva has hit shares in Allied Minds (ALM) hard with over a third of the company’s value wiped off this year.
Allied Minds helps people with innovative ideas commercialise their technology.
IN THE DOGHOUSE
Pet supplies retailer Pets at Home (PETS) is still struggling as it featured in our FTSE 350 underperformers in February.
The stock suffered a 24% drop since the New Year as the pet pamperer is finding it difficult to boost sales due to increasing competition from rival retailers such as Tesco (TSCO) and Ocado (OCDO).
Softer consumer spending and rising costs are also concerns that management need to overcome.
GOING OFF-TRACK
Continuous strikes at Southern have started to take its toll on train operator Go-Ahead (GOG).
Southern Trains is run by Go-Ahead’s 65%-owned Govia Thameslink Railway with partner Keolis owning 35%.
Investors may not be surprised by a 23% drop in the stock as the strikes could hit profits by up to £15m.
Other stocks stuck in the bottom five include oil and gas explorer Tullow Oil (TLW) and public sector service provider Serco (SRP).
