STOCK WATCH

TOY maker and designer Character Group is heading for its best ever year after sales soared.

The company said it was because it has such a strong roster of brands, with Peppa Pig, Scooby Doo and Pokemon gear all beating sales expectations. Character Group was one of the top risers on AIM – rising 21.3pc, or 100.5p, to 572.5p – after it said first-half profit rocketed to £7.6m, up from £2.2m the year before.

It expects sales to get a boost now shops are open again.