| Buy |
|---|
| Company | Publication | Reason | Price tipped |
|---|
Akzo Nobel (AKZA)
Chemicals |
Investors Chronicle |
Akzo’s chief executive has returned following his illness to sweep a new broom around the company, selling off the US paints division. Buy on a price/earnings (p/e) ratio of 13 for 2013. |
€45.24
€51.27/€34.84* |
Carnival (CCL)
Travel & leisure |
The Daily Telegraph |
Profits at the cruise operator fell in 2012 following the Costa Concordia disaster, but the share-price weakness is a buying opportunity. Growth prospects for the cruise market look bright. |
2,442p
2,596p/1,708p |
Centrica (CNA)
Utilities |
The Daily Telegraph |
Centrica’s shares have recovered from the 2011 profit warning and boast a tasty 2013 yield of 5.7%. News on whether the firm will participate in building new nuclear plants is due soon. |
341p
342.5p/280p |
Central Asian Metals (CAML)
Aim |
Investors Chronicle |
The copper miner has declared its maiden dividend after a bumper year. It’s one of just three Aim miners that pay a dividend. Meanwhile, the Kounrad project is throwing off lots of cash. |
101p
144p/57.75p |
EnQuest (ENQ)
Oil & gas |
The Daily Telegraph |
Shares in the North Sea oil explorer performed strongly in 2012, up 30%. Its major projects are on track and it is busy establishing a presence in two new oil basins outside the North Sea. |
121p
136p/94p |
Fresenius Medical (FME)
Healthcare equipment |
Investors Chronicle |
Shares in the kidney dialysis specialist have underperformed due to a profit warning and US lawsuits. But these are short-term problems and Fresenius enjoys an enviable market niche. |
€52.80
€60.30/€49.60 |
Globo (GBO)
Aim |
Shares |
Snap up shares in the e-commerce software provider before the US launch of its new product, Go! Enterprise. European deals have been signed but US deals could transform the company. |
19.75p
31.5p/16p |
Hilton Food (HFG)
Meat packing |
Shares |
Meat packer Hilton, which supplies Tesco and Ahold, is well funded and coping well with the depressed market. The shares could receive a boost at the forthcoming trading update. |
277.25p
310p/235.25p |
IGas Energy (IGAS)
Aim |
The Times |
Investors looking to invest directly in shale gas could buy shares in IGas – the only quoted UK shale gas producer – but the potential of its reserves is hard to gauge. It’s a speculative punt. |
146p
153p/42p |
Mytrah Energy (MYT)
Aim |
Investors Chronicle |
A sell-off in Indian companies in 2012 hit shares in the wind-power developer, but progress continues. Half-year revenues jumped from $2.3m to $30.7m, with profits of $12.2m. Buy. |
80p
126p/45p |
Nanoco (NANO)
Aim |
Investors Chronicle |
Shares in the ‘quantum dot’ semi-conductor material maker are gathering momentum, up 40% since October. It has deals in place with major Asian manufacturers and is well funded. |
87p
87p/50p |
Nostra Terra Oil (NTOG)
Aim |
Shares |
Results due from two of its Oklahoma wells could boost shares in the US-focused oil explorer. Previous results were encouraging and development continues on another separate prospect. |
0.5p
0.75p/0.25p |
Petra Diamonds (PDL)
Mining |
The Daily Telegraph |
The eurozone crisis hit diamond prices for six in 2012 as the wealthy delayed their purchases. But prices are likely to recover substantially when the crisis dissipates. Buy. |
116.5p
188.5p/96p |
Primary Health Prop (PHP)
Real estate invest. trust |
Shares |
Doctors’ surgery developer Primary Health Properties plans an expansion programme in 2013. Acquiring new sites will boost cash flow and dividends. Buy for the 5.4% yield. |
344p
351.5p/310p |
Quindell Portfolio (QPP)
Aim |
The Daily Telegraph |
Shares in the telecoms and insurance outsourcer have fallen following a good run, but this looks overdone. Trading is buoyant and the firm plans to move to a full listing this year. |
14.25p
18.25p/17.25p |
Royal Dutch Shell (RDSB)
Oil & gas |
Shares |
Shell may hike its dividend payout at the full-year results, due on 31 January, due to bumper cash flow from its three biggest projects. The shares trade on just 7.9 times 2013 earnings. |
2,176p
2,499p/2,020p |
Spectris (SXS)
Engineering |
The Times |
Growing at 2% per year, sales at instrumentation specialist Spectris are bearing up well despite the slowdown in Europe. On a p/e of 14, the shares are a good long-term bet. |
2,037p
2,098p/1,245p |
Ubisense (UBI)
Aim |
The Mail on Sunday |
The Cambridge University spin-out produces electronic tags, which make production lines more efficient. Its tags are used by BMW, Jaguar and BAE, and sales are growing steadily. |
206p
236.5p/182.5p |
Venn Life Sciences (VENN)
Aim |
Shares |
Aim’s newest listing, Venn, conducts clinical trials for drug firms and plans to use its initial public offering proceeds to snap up acquisitions in Europe. |
33.5p
36p/30p |
Weir Group (WEIR)
Oil & gas |
The Times |
Weir has consolidated its position in the US shale gas industry by acquiring pressure control equipment supplier Mathena. On 12 times earnings, the shares look good long-term value. |
1,933p
2,243p/1,352p |
| Sell |
|---|
| Company | Publication | Reason | Price tipped |
|---|
Darty (DRTY)
General retailers |
Investors Chronicle |
The electronics retailer is under pressure in recession-hit France, where it makes 70% of its sales. Half-year, like-for-like sales fell by 2.8% and the firm faces fierce online competition. |
57p
87p/37p |
Debenhams (DEB)
General retailers |
Shares |
It’s early days in the recovery at Debenhams and pre-Christmas discounting was heavier than expected, with margins hit. Earnings downgrades could follow, so sell into the rally. |
116.5p
125p/56p |
Easyjet (EZJ)
Travel & leisure |
Investors Chronicle |
Budget airline easyJet has lots of fans in the City, but it’s time to take profits. Growth is slowing, while Europe remains in recession. Austerity measures will hit airline profits. |
766p
771p/367p |
Lo-Q (LOQ)
Aim |
The Mail on Sunday |
Investors in the queue-busting gadget maker have seen their shares more than triple since 2010. The acquisition of Accesso should provide a boost, but it’s best to sell half your holding. |
380p
402.5p/189p |
Park Group (PKG)
Financial services |
The Mail on Sunday |
Shares in the Christmas savings company have doubled since July 2009. The firm’s profits and dividend remain healthy, but investors should take profits and sell half their holding. |
61p
64p/42.5p |
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|
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* 52-week high/low |