Friday tips round-up: AstraZeneca, Kazakhmys, Standard Life

AstraZeneca posted a sparkling set of third-quarter results on Thursday, sending analysts scurrying away to upgrade their numbers. Pre-tax profits rocketed by 24pc, on revenues up 5pc. On closer inspection, however, the results were flattered by a series of ?one-off gains. The Telegraph recommended holding on to the shares in February for the hefty dividend. Now is the time to sell before the competition from generics really starts to bite. Sell.The Times adds that AstraZeneca's shares were trading at about 7.7 times forecast 2010 earnings at last night's close ? compared with a multiple of 10.5 times at GlaxoSmithKline. This seems about right, since GSK has already suffered much of the pain from the loss of its key patents and is benefiting hugely from sales of swine flu vaccines. Hold. Investors in the London-listed miner Kazakhmys saw its shares rise yesterday after the group said it expects to hit full-year production targets. The company has lowered debt by nearly £200m in past two months, meaning the stock is trading at undemanding levels. Analysts at Liberum Capital said: "Kazakhmys is trading at an attractive [price-to-earnings ratio of] 7.8 times ." The Independent agrees. Buy.The major challenge for Standard Life is the economic climate, over which it has no control. Put simply, while the UK remains in recession, fewer people will be able to buy its products. Still, the shares are worth holding on to for the healthy 5.6pc dividend yield. That looks safe as Standard Life already boosted the interim dividend and has one of the strongest balance sheets of all the European insurers. The shares are trading on almost 11 times next year's earnings. Hold, says the Telegraph.CSR shares have shed 20 per cent over the past two weeks because of concerns about stocks, providing a buying opportunity. The shares trade on only 14 times the upgraded 2010 forecasts, excluding its cash, which is undemanding for a high-growth company, according to the Times.Evolution can grow stronger and the stock should climb higher. Management is competent rather than inspired, and the group has had something of a chequered history. But at the height of the crisis last year it saw off interest from numerous potential bidders to snap up Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander's private client business for a song. Maybe there is more to the top table than meets the eye. The Independent is cautious, but gives Evolution the benefit of the doubt for now. Buy.Yesterday, Cairn Energy announced it had sold a 10 per cent stake in its six blocks off Greenland ? a fresh sign of progress. While it will take a long time for the campaign in Disko Bay to yield results, Cairn is a mature company with exciting prospects and a strong platform for further growth. Buy, says the Times. The Independent adds that given that, a multiple of 16 times full-year earnings does not look to excessive (there is no dividend). So. Buy.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.