Share tips 2024: this week’s stock tips

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Five to buy
One to sell
The rest...

last updated 29 November 2024

If you’ve been keeping a close eye on share tips 2024, then don’t miss this weekly round up of the top stocks to consider for your portfolio.

The MoneyWeek share tips 2024 guide pulls together some of the best UK stocks from some of the top share tipsters around.

As well as the UK financial pages, we look at publications across the pond for investors who want to diversify their holdings internationally.

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From investing in UK equities, European stocks, to finding the best performing stocks in the S&P 500 – here are our top share tips of the week.

This list is updated weekly on a Friday.

Five to buy

1. Smiths Group (LSE: SMIN)
The Telegraph
Smiths Group’s shares fell after full-year results missed expectations, but recovered after a positive first-quarter trading update that prompted an upgrade in sales forecasts. The full-year dividend rose 5.2%, outpacing inflation. The engineering company’s low debt and diverse operations reduce risks. Although the stock may be volatile in the short run, Smiths’ solid financial position, sound strategy, growth potential and upbeat income prospects are appealing. A “worthwhile dividend holding for the long run”. 1,724p

2. Disney (NYSE: DIS)
The Times
The US entertainment giant recently posted strong results, exceeding profit expectations in streaming and theme parks. It also surprised investors with profit forecasts up to 2027, predicting growth in earnings per share and resilient household spending. Despite difficulties in traditional media, Disney is appealing owing to its box-office successes, forthcoming releases including Mufasa: The Lion King, intellectual property, fan base and streaming content. Shares are “good value” compared with rival Netflix. $114

3. Cerillion (LSE: CER)
Shares
Cerillion’s forecast-beating full-year results had analysts “gushing”, with broker Canaccord Genuity predicting that the stock would more than double in five years. Order intakes increased to £38.1m versus £31.6m the previous year. The customer relationship management software provider has expanded its services and secured two large telecom clients, bolstering long-term income. Although the shares are not cheap, Cerillion is a “buy and keep stock for years to come”. 1,820p

4. Whitbread (LSE: WTB)
This is Money
Premier Inn owner Whitbread plans to expand its UK portfolio of hotels from 86,000 to 100,000 rooms by 2030; double the German estate to 20,000 rooms; and charge for early check-ins and late check-outs. Profits are expected to rise from £500m to about £800m by 2030 and generate £2bn for dividends and buybacks. Brokers expect 5% dividend growth this year. Shares languish below pre-pandemic levels, but they should recover. “Buy... and hold.” 2,897p

5. Experian (LSE: EXPN)
Investors’ Chronicle
Experian upgraded its full-year margin guidance after half-year revenue increased 7% to $3.6bn despite tough trading conditions. The credit data company boasts 190 million members signed up for a free account. Net debt increased 15% to $5bn mainly due to acquisitions, but underlying free cash flow expanded 13.3% to $426m. Experian can navigate market turbulence and, on around 30 times earnings, the shares are a “long-term buy”. 3,834p

One to sell

Ricardo (LSE: RCDO)
The Telegraph
Ricardo plans to sell its defence operation, a major contributor to profits. It may reinvest the cash in acquisitions to bolster its position as a specialist consultant on environmental matters and the renewable energy transition. This would make the engineering firm less capital-intensive and potentially a higher-growth business, but there is uncertainty over the selling price of the defence unit and the nature, price and integration of any acquisitions. “We would rather sit on the sidelines and take another look once the dust settles.” 430p

The rest...

1. Burberry (LSE: BRBY)
Investors’ Chronicle
Burberry swung to a half-year operating loss owing to an inventory impairment and lower sales, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. The group’s Italian rival Moncler, meanwhile, ruled out a takeover. Yet the shares rose 16% on new CEO Joshua Schulman’s pitch to cut inventories and focus on traditional Burberry products such as its trench coats. Burberry aims to return to a high-teens trading margin and make cuts. Full-year results are likely to be “ugly”. However, once the luxury fashion company gets through its revamp, a “clearer picture” is likely to emerge. Hold (900p).

2. Nichols (LSE: NICL)
The Telegraph
Nichols is investing in brands including Vimto and Slush Puppie to increase market share in Britain and overseas and plans to reduce costs. In the medium term, the soft-drinks group is targeting a 30% increase in sales, a 2.5 percentage point rise in profit margin and a 50% boost in pre-tax income to £45m, resulting in earnings per share of more than 90p and a “low” forward earnings multiple of 14 times. With the prospect of more special dividends, Nichols may “reward patient support”. Investors should hold (1,295p).

3. Domino’s Pizza Group (LSE: DOM)
The Times
Domino’s Pizza Group, the British franchise of the US fast-food chain, suffered during the cost of living crisis but reported a 3.5% increase in third-quarter orders. Deliveries have increased 6.6% so far this year. With franchisees’ profitability improving and over nine million active app customers, Domino’s aims to open new sites and launch a loyalty programme. The firm boasts “improving momentum supported by strong cash generation”. Buy (341p).

This article was first published in MoneyWeek's magazine. Enjoy exclusive early access to news, opinion and analysis from our team of financial experts with a MoneyWeek subscription.

Kalpana is an award-winning journalist with extensive experience in financial journalism. She is also the author of Invest Now: The Simple Guide to Boosting Your Finances (Heligo) and children's money book Get to Know Money (DK Books).

Her work includes writing for a number of media outlets, from national papers, magazines to books.

She has written for national papers and well-known women’s lifestyle and luxury titles. She was finance editor for Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima.

She started her career at the Financial Times group, covering pensions and investments.

As a money expert, Kalpana is a regular guest on TV and radio – appearances include BBC One’s Morning Live, ITV’s Eat Well, Save Well, Sky News and more. She was also the resident money expert for the BBC Money 101 podcast .

Kalpana writes a monthly money column for Ideal Home and a weekly one for Woman magazine, alongside a monthly 'Ask Kalpana' column for Woman magazine.

Kalpana also often speaks at events. She is passionate about helping people be better with their money; her particular passion is to educate more people about getting started with investing the right way and promoting financial education.