Character Share News (CCT)

The last two cold snaps boosted like-for-like sales at Domino's Pizza as peckish consumers, wary of slippery pavements, decided to phone for fast food. Domino's was ready to meet the challenge with its fleet of scooters, which made inroads in areas where larger vehicles were held back by the snow. Continued bad weather is likely to weigh on the wider retail and restaurant sector, and with that backdrop, the market is likely to go for the relative winners. Domino's is well placed to capitalise on that. Buy says the Independent.Britvic, the group behind household names from Robinsons to Tango, revels in selling an extraordinary 1.9bn litres of soft drinks around the world each year. Britvic is confident it is "in good shape to deliver another robust set of results for the year ahead". However, with the wider economic outlook now turning against it, the fizzy pop-maker may lose some of its effervescence next year. Hold says the Independent.May Gurney maintains roads and schools, as well as infrastructure for utility groups. It is currently rebuilding the roof of Victoria Station in London. The current-year earnings multiple is 9.7 falling to 9.1 next year, which does not look overstretched. The company believes it can benefit from outsourcing by local councils. With earnings underpinned by a solid order book, a strong balance sheet and a progressive dividend policy, the shares remain a buy at this level says the Telegraph.Brokers analysis suggests that the January to March period has generally been the best time to hold shares in Thomas Cook, which has shown a positive return in five out of the past six years. The shares are trading on a September 2011 earnings multiple of seven times, compared with Tui on 9.8. In 2012 the multiple is 6.2 and nine respectively. The shares remain a yield play but there could be capital appreciation. Buy says the Telegraph.Kingfisher, owner of the B&Q chain, has DIY enthusiasts and tradesmen in France and Poland to thank for a robust performance during its third quarter. Kingfisher is not reliant on a consumer recovery in the UK to deliver the goods, and its shares trade on a reasonable earnings multiple of 11.5 for 2011-12. Hold says the Independent.It is a measure of the international spread of Kingfisher, which in this country is best known for the B&Q chain, that for the first time profits in Poland are running neck-and-neck with Britain and Ireland. On 11.5 times next year's earnings, Kingfisher's geographical spread makes the shares among the more appealing in the retail sector, the Times adds.Consort Medical makes makes valves for devices that deliver drugs in often metered doses, such as those aspirators that sufferers from asthma must carry, and various disposable devices including face masks and tubes used for helping patients breathe during operations. With the interim dividend held at 7p, suggesting a yield of just above 4% this year, the market should instead view the shares, as indeed do the management, as a growth stock. On about 12 times this year's earnings, no more than a hold until that growth can be demonstrated, the Times suggests.Character buys the rights to the likes of Peppa Pig, Doctor Who, Postman Pat and makes plastic toys based on them in the Far East. The latest financial year saw a return to profits of £7.55m and a quadrupling of the dividend to 4p, with a 2p final. The shares are on seven times this year's earnings, not high even for a small-cap, and there is a decent free float in them. A speculative buy suggests the Times.Please note: Digital Look provides a round-up of news, tips and information that is impacting share prices and the market. Digital Look cannot take any responsibility for information provided by third parties. This is for your general information only as not intended to be relied upon by users in making an investment decision or any other decision. Please obtain a copy of the relevant publication and carry out your own research before considering acting on any of this information.