Friday tips round-up: BG Group and Shell

In spite of falling operating profits and production in its first quarter, oil and gas outfit BG Group still beat expectations with its results yesterday, according to the Tempus column in The Times.The paper notes that the stock has been under pressure over the last six months of so as investors are still "traumatised" from last November's production warning. However, a number of updates in its statement yesterday provided "reasons for encouragement"."I sense that the market is in the mood to invest in BG again but is not seeing any catalyst to prompt this," Tempus' Martin Waller writes.He says that an upcoming strategy day could prove to be that catalyst. "If so, buying the shares before could be a canny move. Long-term, even if the meeting fails to move the market, I do not believe that investors will regret it."Quester, the share-tips column of The Telegraph has labelled oil and gas group Royal Dutch Shell as a 'buy' despite the expensive valuation.The paper says that one of the main reasons own Shell shares is for the income. The interim dividend was increased by 4.6% to 45 cents a shares, while the prospective yield this year is a "solid" 5.1%, rising to 5.3%."Given the company's challenges, the shares are by no means cheap. Trading on a 2013 multiple of 8.7 falling to 8.5, they do, however, remain a buy for income."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.BC