It's been a good past year for shares in the household goods and textiles sector, with the FTSE Actuary Industry Sector benchmark sparking up from 2163.17 to 4128.48. However, a sector average p/e of almost 23 looks high.

Amid the companies, the news hasn't been so upbeat. Luxury ceramic tableware maker Royal Doulton has flagged up job losses to come – moving production overseas, it is shutting its last UK factory. And ceramic house wares group Portmeirion flagged up a migration down to the Aim market following poor 2003 figures, in which profits were pegged back 32 per cent. The firm has seen competition from lower-cost players, and sales wane in the US and UK. But the Far East has proved one bright spot.

However, kitchen maker Omega, chaired by Sunderland soccer director Bob Murray, proved a popular debutante on Aim. After joining via a well-received £9.5 million placing at 113p, the stock perked up to 120.5p on first day's dealings. Omega makes branded kitchen furniture and accessories for both the rigid and ready-to-assemble kitchen furniture markets. It's a fast-growing firm. Last year to December it improved operational profits from £2.2 million to £2.9 million as turnover ticked up from £15.2 million to £17.8 million. Evolution Beeson Gregory forecasts a hefty leap in operating profit to £3.8 million this year.