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This week's articles: 25 May 2012

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May 25, 2012

FEATURES:

Better than gold

Utilities are the ultimate defensive investment. In 1995, there were 29 listed UK utilities. Now there are seven. John Ficenec reviews the attractions of these companies and urges investors to hurry up before it's too late to buy.

Classic recovery shares

The manager of the giant M&G Recovery fund explains his tactics for investing in unloved companies, why he thinks BP might become lunch for a rival and the potential of other key holdings.

Algy Cluff strikes again

Algy Cluff's latest venture, Cluff Natural Resources, should do well if history is any guide.

8 companies with bags of cash

In volatile times, cash is a great buffer against trouble. Cash hoarding companies have the reserves to fund juicy dividends or opportunistic takeovers.

 

SEVEN DAYS:

All you need to know about investing in the past seven days: what's rising, what's falling and what's making the headlines, plus the key market statistics this week.

 

NEWS:

Global quantitative easing looms, gold comes to life, house prices falter but builders thrive, and Algy Cluff returns to the North Sea.

COMMENT:

Our columnists offer in-depth analysis and investment ideas:

■ Mr Bearbull - Five cures for depression.

■ Chris Dillow - Banks magnify euro risks.

■ Property Matters - Wise words from Grainger

 

YOUR MONEY:

Financial planning, tax and investment wisdom:

■ Reader Portfolio - Taking speculative risk on energy companies.

■ Family - Structured products for flat markets.

 

SHARE TIPS OF THE WEEK:

■ Conglomerates went out of fashion years ago but this one is still going strong and its jumble of businesses is what makes this company so interesting.

■ Highly experienced bosses and large reserves are two things to like about this construction and materials company. Now a transformational opportunity could be on the cards.

■ That nasty pasty tax has upset a lot of people, including this seller of snacks. The tax could affect sales or profits depending on whether the company decides to pass it on or absorb the cost itself.

■ The market lacked faith when this company made what looked like a hurried and rather desperate acquisition a year ago but in fact, it has posted a promising set of first quarter results.

FUND TIP OF THE WEEK:

■ The spotlight is back on the technology sector after a decade in the doldrums.

SHARE TIP UPDATES:

CLS

Goldenport

Man Group

Hansteen

■ Primary Health Properties

■ Barclays

Amerisur Resources

Huntsworth

 

FUNDS:

■ Fund news - Fund managers expect Greek exit

■ Interview - Recovery investor Tom Dobell likes to back the underdog - and thinks BP could soon become lunch for a rival.

■ The big theme - Property investment trusts can be a vital source of alternative income - just don't expect growth.

■ Fund profiles - F&C Commercial Property Trust and UK Commercial Property

 

SHARES:

The lowdown on the latest company results:

British Land

Rugby Estates

Grainger

National Grid

Investec

3i Group

London Stock Exchange

Invensys

Bellzone Mining

Vedanta Resources

Optos

Marston's

Mitchells & Butlers

Euromoney

TalkTalk

Blinkx

Stobart

Shanks

Mitie

Cranswick

BTG

Ryanair

Marks & Spencer

Greencore

GW Pharma

Bloomsbury Publishing

Future

Zytronic

Vodafone

Yell

Kcom

UK Mail

Homeserve

Intermediate Capital

Big Yellow

ITE

Renew Holdings

Great Portland Estates

FirstGroup

Paragon

Conygar Investment Company

Telecom Plus

Hogg Robinson

E2V Technologies

 

Trading statements:

Cookson

Kentz

LMS Capital

Hilton Food

 

Sector focus: Palm oil opportunity

Stock screen - Eight cash hoarders

Directors' dealings - Notable transactions at Wetherspoon, plus a table of all boardroom share trades.

 

TRADING:

Trading news - Seasonal advice.

Trading ideas Chart-driven calls on Dow, Antofagasta, SABMiller and sterling/dollar exchange.

The Trader - Dead-cat bounce