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Friday tips round-up: Savills, Soco, Sage...

Fri, 19th Aug 2011 06:47

The last time we looked at the Savills, we opted to buy, reasoning that its international reach, coupled with exposure to the resilient upper end of the UK market, gave it an edge. Yesterday's half-yearly results confirmed our confidence. The group said revenues in the six months to the end of June had climbed by 10 per cent, with pre-tax profits surging by nearly 40 per cent, as it drew strength from activity in the prime central London property segment and from the Asia-Pacific region, which remains buoyant. Also reassuring is the fact that, despite showing resilience, Savills trades on multiples of around 11.6 times forward earnings for this year, and on under 10 times on the estimates of next year, according to UBS. At the same time, it boasts dividend yields of more than 4 per cent. Buy, suggests the Independent.Soco's business is set to be transformed early next month by the development of its TGT oilfield, offshore Vietnam; yet the stock continues to trade at a substantial discount to our estimated 597p-a-share net asset value. We think this FTSE 250 constituent is one of the least expensive stocks in our international universe. TGT phase one is scheduled to come onstream at the start of September and production should hit 55,000 barrels-per-day (b/d) by year-end; a second phase of development activity could increase output to an estimated 90,000b/d in late 2012. We think the stock looks undervalued on a cash flow metric, too. Buy, recommends the Scotsman.Sage Group hit the headlines this week when it was reported to have outbid private equity for the Australian software company MYOB, a specialist in accounting and bookkeeping software. If the deal completes, Sage would be catapulted instantly into a market-leading position in Australia. However, there are market whispers that Sage may be wavering and the A$1.4 billion (£880 million) takeover may not take place. Sage refused to comment on whether the purchase was in the bag or if it might walk away. Sage, which is valued at less than 12 times projected profit this year, may decide to mind its own business in Australia but it looks set for a new era of takeovers, which could trigger uncharacteristic interest in the stock. With organic growth restored and debt well under control, any lull in the shares could provide a good entry point, says the Times.PV Crystalox Solar hasn't been shining since its profit warning in June. Trouble is while sales volumes have been increasing, prices have been falling. An excess of inventory combined with an unexpected slowdown in the key markets of Italy and Germany will result in a second-half loss. Evidence of the problem could be seen in yesterday's first-half results: shipments of its wafers increased by 23 per cent but their price fell 6 per cent. But whether to buy now depends on your view of how quickly the solar market will recover. The company trades on 4.2 times 2011 forecast earnings, but it may lose money for some time unless the market picks up very quickly. Long term there's good potential and there is increasing interest from the East, places such as China and Taiwan. But the short term outlook is bleak and a buy now would be highly speculative. We would keep away, says the Independent.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.
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19 Aug 2009 08:20

London open: Ex-divs weigh

Footsie is in the red following yesterday's good gains and despite decent performance on Wall Street overnight. Former Bank of Ireland governor Richard Burrows is to be the new chairman of Lucky Strike maker British American Tobacco when Jan du Plessis steps down from the position on 1 November. B

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19 Aug 2009 07:57

PV Crystalox profit halves

Silicon wafers supplier PV Crystalox Solar is confident of a "robust" performance in the second half despite reporting a 57% slump in earnings for the first six months of 2009. Earnings before interest and tax for the half year ended 30 June fell to €21.5m from €50.5m a year earlier on revenue down

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14 Jul 2009 17:09

London close: Stocks pull out of tailspin

Indecision on Wall Street prompted a spell of profit taking in the UK in the middle of the afternoon session which threatened to wipe out the morning's gains, but London's blue-chips rallied at the death to keep the Footsie in the blue. Mining stocks were the best performers with silver miner Fresn

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14 Jul 2009 14:10

London afternoon: Footsie climbs despite weak retailers

London's leading shares continue to edge higher, with sentiment given a boost in the afternoon by expectations of a moderately firm start on Wall Street and a strong set of second quarter results from US bank Goldman Sachs, which announced record revenues. Mobile phone giant Vodafone, the third lar

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14 Jul 2009 12:11

London midday: Early gains are consolidated

The Footsie is trading sideways, holding on to gains after a bright start. Inflation data was much as expected, with the inflation rate falling below the Bank of England's 2% target for the first time since September 2007 last month. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed a drop in consu

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15 May 2009 16:29

London close: Footsie ends on low note

London closed lower after a lacklustre afternoon session with losses on properties and travel companies outweighing gains on miners. Shocking figures from property giant Land Securities on Wednesday still cast a shadow over the real estate investment trusts (REITs). LandSecs leads the sector lowe

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15 May 2009 14:10

London afternoon: Travel companies trip Footsie

London continues its gentle downward drift, with losses on properties and travel companies outweighing gains on miners. The market seems unlikely to get any sort of lift from Wall Street which is expected to open moderately weaker. Shocking figures from property giant Land Securities on Wednesday

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15 May 2009 13:41

FTSE 250 movers: Renishaw in focus

Microscope maker Renishaw says cost cutting will offset the impact of tough market conditions and claims an operating loss for the second half is expected to be "somewhat less" than the £10m flagged in March. The company, which supplies microscopes, scanning probes and other devices, has already a

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15 May 2009 12:15

London midday: Rally stalls

Weak properties and oils have pitched the Footsie into the red, despite the continued strength of banks and miners. Shocking figures from property giant Land Securities on Wednesday are still casting a shadow over the real estate investment trusts (REITs). LandSecs leads the sector lower but Hammer

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15 May 2009 08:48

London open: Banks give Footsie a boost

Banks have helped Footsie make a bright start with reports that Barclays is considering new offers for its iShares arm boosting the whole sector. Barclays may backtrack on a deal to sell its iShares unit to CVC, the private equity group, and instead offload its entire asset management division for

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15 May 2009 07:08

PV Crystalox revenues on the slide

PV Crystalox Solar, which produces silicon wafers for use in solar power generation systems, expects first half revenues to take a 10% dive from last year's half-yearly revenues. The company has seen a further decline in demand for its products since its preliminary results announcement at the end

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