Tuesday tips round-up: Yule Catto, Hardy Underwriting, St Ives

The upgrades to earnings forecasts after specialist chemicals group Yule Catto's latest tading update yesterday ? the third in four months ? imply that Yule will achieve pre-tax profits this year of £39m, 19% higher than last.Yule still trades at a reasonable nine times next year's earnings, despite yesterday's 20% rise in the shares. Further out, the fall in the company's borrowings should enable the reinstatement of the dividend. Hold on says the Times.Hardy Underwriting yesterday took its first steps into the Middle East by announcing a reinsurance joint venture with Arab Insurance Group, of Bahrain. Hardy's overarching attraction is its proven skills in pricing risk: its underwriting operations have enjoyed 36 years of unbroken profitability. The shares are reasonably priced ? less than eight times 2009 earnings ? and provide a solid 4.6% dividend yield. Buy says the Times.St Ives is one of Britain's biggest printers of annual reports, but its own document ? due for publication within the next few weeks ? is likely to make depressing reading. Its attractions as a strengthened balance sheet and, since the disposal of its American and Dutch operations, a tighter focus. But, at 74p, or 13 times current-year earnings, and yielding 3%, those are insufficient grounds for a purchase. Pass says the Times. Bunzl has a strong balance sheet, as well as good cash flow. Operating in a defensive sector, the shares are valued at a hardly taxing 12.4 times this year's forecast earnings, with a yield of 3.5%. It has a rich history, and should prove to have a lucrative future. That being the case, buy into it says the Independent.Diamond miners like Gem endured a brutal recession. Gem is also notably cautious about the market, particularly in the US in the run-up to Christmas. There are more solid "early recovery" plays out there so avoid says the Independent.ATM operator Cashbox is a punt on the hope that the chief executive, Ciaran Morton, can execute his plan of further deals and putting the cash machines in increasingly attractive locations. The numbers are improving, and this should filter through to the share price, which is already in the bargain basement. So take a punt and buy says the Independent. 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.