FTO.L Share News (FTO)

There was a sense of déjà vu in yesterday's profit warning and share price fall for temporary power group Aggreko. In late 2009, the company issued a similar alert that turned out to be an ideal buying opportunity for new investors in the shares and The Telegraph´s Questor team thinks yesterday's events present a similar situation. Past performance is no guide to the future but yesterday's 22 per cent share price fall, which wiped about 2bn pounds off the group's stock market value, looks extreme. Rupert Soames, Aggreko's Chief Executive, told Questor yesterday that, although the long-term structural drivers of the business are there, investors in key emerging markets have become nervous about committing to large projects because of the economic uncertainty. This, however, is likely to be a short-term issue. Questor thinks the shares will trade sideways for some time and it will be towards the middle of next year before we get any insight into whether 2014 will see an improvement. However, Questor keeps a buy on medium-term prospects.Hunting's trading statement yesterday, like that from John Wood Group last week ? another business dependent on the global oil industry ? was less of a profit warning than an attempt to rein in some over-exuberant analysts' forecasts, the Times´s Tempus column wrote on Tuesday. Two of its biggest customers, Halliburton and Schlumberger, have recently published their own trading updates indicating a probable fall in capital spending. The latter on Friday said that fourth-quarter earnings would be hit by lower-than-expected drilling activity in North America and contract delays in Europe and Africa. Some experts think that the number of oilrigs in operation in the US next year could drop by several hundred. Much of that, Tempus believes, is down to the US election and the looming "fiscal cliff", to which one must add the inherently little forward visibility of business. "The shares now sell on about 12 times next year's earnings and look like good value, on any optimistic reading of prospects for the oil industry," Tempus says. The market does not trust Fortune Oil. That is the only conclusion to be drawn after yesterday's $400 m sale of its natural gas business in China, Tempus believes. Why? That asset sale will leave the company with approximately £100m in cash in the bank and a stake in Hong Kong listed China Gas worth another £280m. To those assets one can add several others and yet the company´s market capitalization is now just a little above £200m. The market's problem is a deep mistrust of a company regarded as exposed to the ups and downs of the Chinese economy. Its fans, such as Malcolm Graham-Wood at VSA Capital, think the shares could be worth 28p, on any reasonable break-up value. Mr Graham-Wood speculates that Fortune could decide to seek a listing in Hong Kong, where the company is better known and appreciated. This would almost certainly lead to a significant upgrade in the valuation. Highly speculative, but an interesting punt Tempus believes. 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.AB