This tip’s a Christmas cracker!

IG DESIGN comes into its own at this time of year. The company makes millions of festive items, including eco-Christmas crackers, wrapping paper, tags, bows and party goodies. It also sells gift products, such as photo frames, calendars and corporate-sponsored items, including Nutella plates.

Chief executive Paul Fineman admits Christmas is important to IG, but sales outside the festive season also contribute to the bottom line. The firm makes a huge range of children’s stationery, shopping bags for retail chains, bin liners and recycling bags.

The blend of goodies is large, but the formula is working. Half-year results, released on Thursday, showed core profits up 14 per cent to £22million and a 20 per cent increase in the interim dividend to 3p. Brokers expect that pace to continue in the full year to March, with profits up 15 per cent to £35 million and a final dividend of 9.9p, compared to 8.5p the previous year.

The figures are noteworthy as IG has faced challenges in recent months. The firm makes most of its money in America so has had to cope with the US trade war with China, by changing suppliers and increasing local production.

Brexit uncertainty also disrupted sales but the company is fighting back, particularly in the speciality bags sector.