Traders' views - Stock trading

Share tips of the week 19 September 2012

By , 19 Sep 2012

The Share Centre's investment guru lets BullBearings in on a handful of his tip-top share tips and lifts the lid on the five most popular shares from the last week's trading

Graham's outside bet this week is Smiths News (SMIN), even though its main business of newspaper and magazine distribution is undergoing a horrible decline. Undeterred, management are expanding into other areas.

For those of a less risk-loving nature, Graham says you might plump for contract caterer Compass Group (CPG) or booze magnates Diageo (DGE)

Compass has a great boardroom, strong defensive qualities, an improving dividend and share buyback scheme, qualities that should all help prop up the share price. The third quarter results were positive with good growth in North America and emerging markets.

Diageo also has powerful defensive attractions - everyone turns to alcohol in a recession, especially investors. Graham points out that another strong set of recent results boosted by spirit sales in the
US and increased demand from emerging markets. The group have a wide range of well-known brands including Johnnie Walker and Guinness.

Broadcasting and TV production group ITV (ITV) is in the middle of a long-term recovery operation, which so far appears to going to plan. The group has cut its debts and, with the production side of the business has been going from strength to strength on the back of blockbusters like Downton Abbey and programmes like The Street for BBC and Longford for Channel 4, is trying to move away from being dependent on advertising revenue.

For those who want neither slow and steady nor high-risk, there is medium-risk BG Group (BG.) The shares have fallen back over the summer months to a level where there appears to be support. The group have good assets around the world, most notably in Australia, Brazil and the US. In recent years there has been a growing demand for liquid natural gas.

Momentum stocks - most popualr shares from the last week

Vodafone continues to attract income seekers.

Barclays has enjoyed a steady increase in the share price since July as investor confidence appeared to have improved.

Glencore shares have risen as the price for the merger with Xstrata pumped up short term interest in the stock.

Chariot Oil – News that the group has had to abandon a drilling site led to a fall in the share price, which in turn attracted buyers at the lower level.

Falkland Oil and Gas put out an mixed drilling report that took the wind out of the share price, which in turn attracted a swarm of value investors.
 

Warning: Remember, particularly if you are new to trading in the stock market and in forex, that the prices of shares and other investments can fall fast and you may not get back the money you originally invested. The material here is for general information only and is not intended to be relied upon for individual investment decisions. Take independent advice before making such decisions. Also, the BullBearings free stock exchange simulation portfolios are a good way to practice trading techniques.

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