Broker tips: Whitbread, SuperGroup, Avocet

Evolution Securities has confirmed its buy rating on coffee shop, restaurant and hotel owner Whitbread, saying that while the UK consumer outlook may be uncertain, "there is no evidence of the malaise affecting Whitbread"."This good performance is driven by product innovation, staffing to ensure minimal queues and good retail presentation. The one disappointment remains pub restaurants which have proved to be flat-footed recently after several years of outperformance," the broker said.The target price stays at 1,750p.With a massive increase in first quarter sales and a roll-out plan on schedule, Prime Markets has reiterated its buy rating on SuperGroup, predicting a bounce higher in the run up to Christmas."SuperGroup shares have since fallen sharply on the back of fears for the global economy, but unlike so many sector peers, the stock remained largely unmoved during the August market crash. This in the view of Prime Markets clearly indicates that the markets see good value in SuperGroup at current levels, particularly as the stock traded within a fairly tight range throughout the August turbulence," said the head of dealing at Prime Markets, Richard Curr.The broker sets its four-week target at 1,287p.After factoring in higher gold prices and a recent sale, Ambrian has raised the target price for AIM-listed gold miner Avocet Mining and confirmed a buy rating."Avocet unequivocally remains one of our top picks for gold exposure this year. The company has run from strength to strength this year from a corporate and operational perspective, and we see further potential in its developing asset base," said analyst Duncan Hughes.The target price is raise from 284p to 298p, reflecting the increase to the broker's short-term gold price assumptions (to $1,670/oz, $1,800/oz and $1,600/oz in the next three quarters, respectively).BC Whitbread