Lloyds Share News (LLOY)

Lloyds makes most its profit in the UK, and the news on the British economy has been fairly grim. Like all UK banks, it also faces regulatory uncertainty. It has to sell 632 branches under its competition agreement with the EU and the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) wants it to offload a further big chunk. All the while, low interest rates have compressed the net interest margin, and there's no dividend. For the positives, look to the long term. Lloyds has the scope to make big cost cuts. Also, Lloyds will be relatively unaffected by plans to ring-fence retail and investment banking, which will hit rivals. If it all works out, it can pay a dividend. This is one for (very) patient punters. Buy and sit tight, recommends the Independent.Anglo Pacific Group the rights to royalty payments on 17 mining projects around the world, accounting today for about three quarters of assets. The royalties are paid on the revenues from the mines rather than on production or profits. This is significant because it means the company is not exposed to the rising cost pressures that are hitting the miners. This is almost an investment trust approach to mining; the risks are widely spread among countries and metals. In the half year to the end of June royalty payments were pretty flat and sales of investments more than halved, leaving pre-tax profits 28 per cent lower. But a large chunk of profits are recycled as dividends. The prospective yield is about 3.6 per cent, respectable enough, but the attraction is in having a wide exposure to the world mining industry and the potential growth ahead. Worth looking at, says the Times.Greggs' like-or-like sales (excluding newly opened stores) continue to rise, albeit slowly. Profits for the six months to July 2 eased by £1.2m to £17.3m, but there were a couple of extra bank holidays, notably for the royal wedding. Moreover, it boasts a robust balance sheet, and the shares trade on an undemanding 11.8 times forward earnings. The prospective yield of 4.3 per cent is also appealing. Given the above, we would view the recent share price weakness as a buying opportunity, the Independent suggests.Aquarius Platinum, the world's fourth-largest producer of the precious metal, this summer bit the bullet and closed its 2009 acquisition, the Blue Ridge mine. This was the right thing to do, but it left some nasty red ink over the results for the year to end-June. Not deterred, the company is paying a 4 cent final dividend, which raises the total to 8 cents, up by a third from last year. Aquarius is highly regarded among its peers. However, prospects for platinum are not good, given the macroecononic trends and the amount that goes into the Chinese motor industry. The shares look cheap historically, but there seems no reason to chase, recommends the Times.BCPlease 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.