Thursday tips round-up: Hays, Filtrona, Logica...

In the Times, Tempus looks at the CV of recruitment firm Hays which yesterday announced a 55% cut in its interim dividend. The UK and Ireland division made a £3m loss and has been forced to close offices to cut costs. The other divisions covering the Continent and Asia Pacific did well. Currently the shares trade at 17.5 times earnings but Tempus believes the weak economic cycle that is afflicting recruitment, especially in the UK, has not run its course. Hold.Filtrona, which makes high-tech fibre and foam components, gets a thumbs up from Tempus. It rose 56% last year and announced a pre-tax profits rise of 17% yesterday. With around £250m in the bank for acquisitions and an ambitious management team, Tempus says buy.Tempus can't bring itself to recommend Logica, the IT company. It managed to bring profits in within revised guidelines but faces a squeeze as clients eye budget cuts. Despite trading at just eight times forward earnings, Tempus thinks the chances for a stock price rise are low. Hold.In the Telegraph, Questor looks at the nuts and bolts of AMEC, the engineering contractor. With a strong cash position and a share buy back programme under way, the company is starting 2012 on the front foot. Despite a warning that margins may weaken as the business mix changes the shares trade at 14.3 times earnings, enough for Questor to maintain its recommendation: buy.BSPlease 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.