A round-up of share tips from the financial press

The stocks and sharesthe British press is tipping and recommending you avoid this week.

Three to buy

Britvic

Investors Chronicle

Investors are underestimating the growth potential from the soft-drinks maker's moves in new overseas markets. The launch of multipacks of its Fruit Shoot product in America could prove particularly lucrative, while prospects in Brazil are exciting. The firm is also ahead of the curve in reducing the sugar content of its drinks to deal with the impact of the forthcoming sugar tax in the UK. 701p

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

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

Get 6 issues free

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

Hikma Pharmaceuticals

Shares

Profits at the generic drug producer dipped last year due to lower-than-expected sales of gout drugs. However, the firm still received approval for 220 new products and is waiting for US approval of a generic version of asthma drug Advair. As a result, growth is expected to return this year. 2,296p

Portmeirion

Shares

The ceramic tableware provider saw sales fall by 2% in the first four months of the year, driven by weaker demand from Asia. The share price slid as a result. However, the acquisition of candle maker Wax Lyrical should help to compensate, as there are significant opportunities to increase Wax Lyrical's sales to Portmeirion's UK customers. A dividend hike is likely. 1,150p

Three to sell

De La Rue

The Times

Shares in the banknote maker yield a very attractive-looking 4.9%, but they are still better avoided. The company has recently sold off its cash processing division to a private-equity group, which was a sensible move, as it lacked the critical mass to compete in this market. However, the shares now look fully valued on a price/earnings ratio of 13 times.510p

Mothercare

Shares

Shares in the struggling baby products retailer rose after underlying profits increased by 51% for the full year its first statutory profit for five years. Conditions in the UK business have been improving. However, competition from rivals, such as John Lewis and Mamas & Papas, is fierce and international profitability remains worrying.125p

And the rest

Directors' dealings

The proceeds are intended to fund the roll out of its Tuzistra XR prescription cough/cold medication in the US, and the relaunch of the Moxatag antibiotic treatment for tonsillitis. The firm also aims to receive approval for two other cough/cold products in America during 2016 and is aiming for proof of concept on two more by the end of the year.

An American view

The broker market is consolidating and institutional investors are grabbing a growing slice of the market; they tend to buy and sell more than owner-operators. The shares are "a bargain" on a forward p/e ratio of just 11.