SHARE PUNT OF THE WEEK

PRICE: 353.5p

WHAT IS IT?

You might not have heard of IG Design Group, but you’ve no doubt used some of the gift wrapping and celebratory products it makes, sells and distributes to more than 200,000 stores across the world.

The company, which changed its name from International Greetings last year, is the world’s biggest seller of Christmas crackers, producing 71m a year.

WHAT’S THE LATEST?

After years as a basket case, it has soared 37pc since March, when it awoke from its slumber and upgraded profit expectations.

IG has enjoyed a significant boost in the US and has managed to offset currency headwinds in the UK with strong sales.

This week it announced that it had bought Australian card company Biscay Greetings for £5.5m to boost its presence in the country, sending shares even higher.

WHO BACKS IT?

Miton Asset Management and Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management own respective stakes of 12pc and 5.2pc. Chief executive Paul Fineman owns a 7.1pc stake.

WHY SHOULD YOU INVEST?

IG is part-way through something of a renaissance period after years of being down in the dumps.

It seems to have indicated that acquisitions like the one this week could be more common as it looks to take advantage of its current strength.

…AND WHY YOU SHOULDN’T

IG nearly crumbled in 2007, when its market cap shrunk from £240m to £6m in just 12 months. Some may worry that history could repeat itself.