The week's share tipsters at a glance - 30 May

MoneyWeek's comprehensive round-up of the week's share tips from the British press.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Big Yellow Group (BYG)REITSThe TimesThe storage provider is focusing on existing facilities in the southeast and occupancy rates should climb as the sites mature. Earnings look secure and a yield of 6.7% is attractive.350p/218p*282p
Bloomsbury Publishing (BMY)MediaThe Daily TelegraphThis publisher’s digital sales should benefit from the trend towards e-books, while the academic unit is also doing well. Buy on a February 2013 price/earnings (p/e) ratio of 9.5.134p/90p115p
Booker Group (BOK)FoodThe TimesTotal sales at the food wholesaler have increased by 7.3% and the shares have doubled in the past two years. It’s a steady play on a p/e of 16 and a yield of 3%.86p/63p78p
Breedon Aggregates (BREE)Building materialsInvestors ChronicleBreedon boasts 200 million tonnes of reserves and management with an impressive track record. A potential deal to buy 11% of UK market share offers huge growth prospects. Buy.25p/17p21p
Cookson Group (CKSN)Misc manufacturingSharesA possible demerger of this industrial group’s two main operating units (ceramics and performance materials) could increase its market value by more than 35%. Buy.755p/386p660p
CSR (CSR)SemiconductorsInvestors ChronicleMicro-chip maker CSR has cut exposure to low-margin products and now makes 57% of sales from high-margin platforms. It’s a speculative buy but it looks good value on a p/e of 11.372p/153p213p
Dignity (DTY)Funeral servicesSharesDignity benefits from a relatively predictable market, meaning it offers defensive stability in times of volatility. Buy ahead of potential upgrades on a 2013 p/e of 12.2.866p/722p816p
EnQuest (ENQ)Oil & gasThe Daily TelegraphDespite concerns over a falling oil price, EnQuest should meet production targets with a number of key purchases. The shares trade on a December 2012 p/e of 11.1, falling to 9.1.136p/84p117p
FirstGroup (FGP)TransportationThe TimesThe train and bus operator is having some operational issues but could benefit from the bidding round for British rail contracts. It’s a speculative buy on a p/e of seven, yielding 11.5%.376p/190p205p
HICL Infrastructure (HICL)Closed-end fundThe Daily TelegraphThe infrastructure fund has a strong pipeline of deals in Britain and abroad, and offers a relatively low-risk investment in a time of uncertainty. It has a prospective yield of 5.9%.124p/112p118p
Informa (INF)MediaThe Daily TelegraphThe media services firm saw organic revenue fall 4.1% in first-quarter results. But on a December 2012 p/e of 8.9 and yielding 5%, the shares are undervalued. Buy.453p/312p371p
James Fisher (FSJ)TransportationThe Daily TelegraphShares in this specialist marine services firm fell from around 600p in May due to troubles in the eurozone. The fall is unwarranted and the shares are a buy on a December 2012 p/e of 10.3.620p/420p541p
Johnson Matthey (JMAT)ChemicalsSharesGlobal auto demand and tighter legislation are boosting sales of Matthey’s autocatalysts, used in car exhausts. Buy ahead of 7 June finals as Numis expects results to beat consensus.2,426p/1,484p2,151p
Marston’s (MARS)BeveragesSharesA first return to dividend growth since 2008 makes this pub operator a good income play on a prospective yield of 6.2% – with 5% progressive dividend growth – twice covered by earnings.109p/83p99p
Quindell Portfolio (QPP)AimThe Mail on SundayQuindell offers a range of insurance claim management services, making it a useful partner for large insurers looking to bring down costs. Deals with leading firms are expected this year. 8.5p/2p5.5p
Randgold Resources (RRS)MiningThe Sunday TelegraphThe gold miner is set to raise production for 2012, despite issues in the Ivory Coast. Use a recent share-price drop on gold price uncertainty as an opportunity to buy on a p/e of 12.7.7,720p/4,480p5,130p
Restore (RST)AimSharesRestore’s document management, shredding and scanning operations are performing well, and the shares – after a rare fall – look cheap on a 2012 p/e of 9.3.96p/53p85p
Smiths Group (SMIN)Misc. manufacturingInvestors ChronicleThe conglomerate is cutting costs and making inroads into dynamic emerging markets (15% of revenues). It’s cheap compared to the sum of its parts.1,244p/852p1,020p
Telecom Plus (TEP)TelecommunicationsThe TimesTelecom Plus has increased customer numbers and boosted pre-tax profits by 12% to the end of March. This good growth and income lift should have further to go. Buy.804p/519p703p
United Utilities (UU)WaterInvestors ChronicleThe water company boasts a secure and attractive dividend yield of 5.1% and looks cheap compared to rivals on a premium to adjusted regulatory capital value (RCV) of just 8%. Buy.658p/529p629p
Vodafone (VOD)TelecommunicationsThe Daily TelegraphA strong performance in Germany helped the mobile giant mitigate poor results in southern Europe. It’s an income play with a yield of 8.5%.182p/150p172p
Facebook (US: FB)InternetThe Daily TelegraphThe social networking site faces many hurdles and, even after a 20% fall since its initial public offering, the shares should be avoided.$45/$31$32
Greggs (GRG)FoodInvestors ChronicleA decision to add VAT to pasties and sausage rolls has hit Gregg’s share price, while like-for-like sales were down 1.8% in the first 19 weeks of the year. The share price could fall further.564p/420p453p
Kesa Electricals (KESA)RetailSharesWeak market conditions in Europe are hitting this electrical goods firm’s like-for-like sales, down 5.9% for the fourth quarter to April. The shares could dip further on 20 June finals. Sell.152p/45p52p
Ophir Energy (OPHR)Oil & gasSharesShares in the east Africa-based oil explorer are up 92% since January, including a 7% increase in one week last month after successful well results in Tanzania. Take some profits.622p/179p578p
United Carpets (UCG)AimSharesThe retailer is suffering from a subdued housing market and weak consumer spending on ‘big ticket’ purchases, such as beds. Sell ahead of July results as the dividend looks vulnerable.8p/3.25p4.5p
Row 26 - Cell 0 Row 26 - Cell 1 Row 26 - Cell 2 * 52-week high/low

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/mw70aro6gl1676370748.jpg

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up