Equities are steady this morning ahead of US jobs figures. The Trader Dominic Picarda again makes the case for investing in shares in his weekly column today.
IC TIP UPDATES:
Simon Thompson recommendation Noble Investments (NBL) has announced strong full year results with pre-tax profits up 23 per cent to £3.7m in the 12 months to August. The dividend is increased by 22 per cent to 5.25p. We maintain our buy recommendation.
Randall & Quilter’s (RQIH) Lloyds of London subsidiary has set up a new syndicate which will start writing insurance from January. Buy.
E2V Technologies (E2V) has agreed a new contract with Accuray Inc of California which is worth a minimum £20m over five years. Buy.
Floorings specialist James Halstead (JHD) has confirmed that despite ongoing tough trading conditions it expects to exceed last year’s profit performance. We keep our buy rating.
KEY STORIES:
House builder Berkeley Group (BKG) continues its good run with profits up by 41 per cent in the six months to October and cash due on forward sales up by 24 per cent to £1.3bn. We keep our buy.
Fellow housebuilder Bellway (BWY) has said that potential buyers are fining it a little easier to source funds, partly due to the government’s NewBuy scheme and reservations have risen by 6 per cent to 100 a week in recent weeks. The average selling price is up by 4 per cent too.
Gemfields (GEM) is to buy a controlling interest in a ruby despoit located adjacent to its Montepuez ruby mine in Mozambique for $3.5m.
Meanwhile, Coal of Africa’s (CZA) troubles continue with news that it has sacked 178 miners, approximately half of its workforce, who were out on strike.
Photo-Me International (PHTM) has managed to grow its profits by 17 per cent, despite a revenue decline of 7 per cent, with Germany, Switzerland and Japan proving to be star performers.
OTHER COMPANY NEWS:
Belgravium Technologies (BVM) has suffered from some contract slippage which means its full year performance will miss expectations.
