Share tips of the week
MoneyWeek’s comprehensive guide to the best of this week’s share tips from the rest of the UK's financial pages.
Two to buy
Vestas
Pernod Ricard
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(The Times) France’s Pernod Ricard is the world’s second-biggest drinks group behind Diageo. Activist investor Elliott Advisors had been pressing it to merge with a large rival to improve operating margins, but CEO Alexandre Ricard – whose family hold 14.2% of shares and 20.1% of the voting rights – gave the idea “short shrift”. However, he is following a policy of “bolt-on acquisitions” and improving margins is part of his plan. Despite Covid-19 and a €999m writedown (largely due to Absolut Vodka, which relies on airport sales), it has increased its market share while profits have fallen less than expected. €142
Two to sell
J Sainsbury
(Investors Chronicle) The supermarket group had steadied the ship after the pricey failed merger with Asda, but the pandemic has brought new problems, notably a squeeze on margins amid a shift towards less profitable online sales and large potential losses at its bank. The balance sheet remains “stretched”. The shares are inexpensive, but the growing army of short-sellers is right to sense “a value trap”. 213p
FirstGroup
(The Times) “There is... no case for investing in a UK public transport stock.” This train and bus operator has not paid a dividend since 2013 and is struggling to cope with its debt load. And don’t count on matters improving. The sale of its US operations, first announced in March, will produce little money and Britain’s semi-privatised railway system looks likely to be scrapped. Bus systems need massive investment. Avoid. 50p
...and the rest
The Daily Telegraph
Aviva’s new CEO Amanda Blanc aims to reform the underperforming insurance giant. Its “decent digital capability” and strong balance sheet bode well. Covid-19-related claims may inflate premiums. Buy (274p). Cable-assemblies maker Volex “has put its house in order and profits have responded”. Hold (189p).
Investors Chronicle
Derwent London “was one of the few commercial property groups to increase its dividend in the wake of Covid-19”. A solid balance sheet allows it to shrug off “short-term pain on rent collection”. Buy (310p).
Shares
Inspecs, an Aim-listed eyewear-frame maker, offers an appealing “growth story”. People will be rushing to catch up on eye appointments now that lockdown has lifted and there are still 2.6 billion people worldwide who need their vision corrected. Buy (230p).
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In the money: how my trading tips fared in 2025The success of the open positions offset losses on closed ones, says Matthew Partridge
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Vietnamese stocks are charging ahead – here's what to buyVietnam has been upgraded from a frontier to an emerging market. It remains a promising pick, says David Prosser
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In the money: how my trading tips fared in 2025
The success of the open positions offset losses on closed ones, says Matthew Partridge
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Vietnamese stocks are charging ahead – what to buy
Vietnam has been upgraded from a frontier to an emerging market. It remains a promising pick, says David Prosser
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'Investors will reap long-term rewards from being bullish on UK equities'Opinion Nick Train, portfolio manager, Finsbury Growth & Income Trust, highlights three UK equities where he’d put his money
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The graphene revolution is progressing slowly but surely – how to investEnthusiasts thought the discovery that graphene, a form of carbon, could be extracted from graphite would change the world. They might've been early, not wrong.
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A strong year for dividend hero Murray International – can it continue its winning streak?Murray International has been the best-performing global equity trust over the past 12 months, says Max King
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The shape of yields to comeCentral banks are likely to buy up short-term bonds to keep debt costs down for governments
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The sad decline of investment clubs – and what comes nextOpinion Financial regulation and rising costs are killing off investment clubs that once used to be an enjoyable hobby, says David Prosser
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How to profit from the UK leisure sector in 2026The UK leisure sector had a straitened few years but now have cash in the bank and are ready to splurge. The sector is best placed to profit
