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This week's articles: 20 July 2012

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July 20, 2012

FEATURES:

Best bond buys

The FTSE remains range-bound, new issues have flopped and the number of quoted companies is falling steadily. But money is pouring into bond funds and new retail bond issues are selling like hot cakes. We consider the changing patterns of investing, and look at the best spots within the fixed-income sector.

Tips of the year update

The good news is that our eight tips of the year are up 9 per cent, on average, with the best performer up nearly 40 per cent, against a market that’s up just 1 per cent. The bad news is that one of the shares is suspended. We offer our thoughts on that and the other seven in our tips review.

Why Russia's the best value Bric

Investors don't like Vladimir Putin and think the Russian economy is all about oil. That's why Russia's cheap. But don't ignore the country's flourishing consumer sector, sound public finances and rapidly-growing economy. We look at the best ways to get exposure.

Five great safe-yield shares

A high dividend yield is only really worth anything if you've got confidence that the payout will be maintained or increased. This week's stock screen looks for companies with rock-solid finances, a sensible valuation and a decent yield.

 

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.

 

NEWS:

■ A welcome fall in food-price inflation, CSR signs a transformational deal with Samsung, engineers may need to cool their earnings expectations and updates on big miners BHP and Rio in the wake of a deteriorating outlook for Chinese steel production..

 

COMMENT:

Our columnists offer in-depth analysis and investment ideas:

■ No free lunch - Something's good in the state of Denmark.

■ Chris Dillow - News you can use: you can make money using stale news.

■ Simon Thompson - Our companies editor highlights five special situations worth following.

■ Property Matters - Investors should probably wait before they start buying houses again.

 

YOUR MONEY:

Financial planning, tax and investment wisdom:

Sipp portfolio - David Stevenson is considering investing in a fund that has fallen off many investors' radars.

Financial planning - Planning for £35k care home fees.

Smart Money - Savers benefit from a drop in inflation.

 

SHARE TIPS OF THE WEEK:

A property company with decent prospects, but a share price depressed by largely misplaced fears.

■ This insurance support services group is backed by a familiar figure and should grow quickly.

Dealing with debt is going to be part of life for the next few years. This company makes money from it.

A Russian gold producer that’s in recovery mode and boasts rock-bottom production costs.

 

FUND TIP OF THE WEEK:

■ Many high income investment trusts are trading at premiums to net assets, reflecting investor demand for yield. But this one is at a slight discount despite a strong track record and low total expense ratio.

 

BROKERS' TIPS:

■ Analysts' views on a machinery supplier and a pubs group.

 

SHARE TIP UPDATES:

■ Take a profit on G4S shares while you still can.

 

FUNDS:

Fund news - Investors pick ETFs to capture short-term FTSE movements.

The big theme - Play the rally with Russia

■ Fund profiles - Four Russian funds:

- db X-trackers MSCI Russia Capped competes on fees.

- JPMorgan Russia offers pure-play exposure.

- Neptune Russia & Greater Russia Fund a veteran player.

- Renaissance Russian gets off to a good start.

Why I love this share: This company is well exposed to continued strong demand in emerging markets but Margaret Lawson says the market has not yet recognised its growth potential.

Interview - Richard Buxton (pictured below) talks about his favourite large-cap shares.

 

SHARES:

The lowdown on the latest company results:

SuperGroup.

SThree.

Amino Technologies.

Low & Bonar.

IG Group.

Eros.

Ebiquity.

Zetar.

 

Trading statements:

Rockhopper Exploration.

Borders & Southern Petroleum.

Ashmore.

 

Sector focus - Investments with fizz.

 

Stock screen - Five high and safe yielders.

 

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

 

TRADING:

Trading news - Shorting can be tricky, but swing charts make it easy.

Trading ideas - Chart-driven calls on Anglo American, DAX 30, G4S and wheat.

The Trader - The Trader considers a supposedly mega-bearish signal, but is staying optimistic for now.