News

At £11.99, or 11 times this year's earnings per share, SSE's stock has lost none of its defensive qualities - it has outperformed the FTSE all-share index by a respectable 21 per cent year-on-year - and boasts a secure and rising payout, whose returns roundly outstrip base rates. Hold on, says the Times.

Land Securities' wide range of customers means the collapse of companies over the next year should not leave it with gaping holes in rental income, but the risks of investing still outweigh the potential gains. The Telegraph says hold.

Investors should give WH Smith credit for its performance in the past few months, but with the economy in a recession likely to be worse than first thought punters should think twice before buying even the best retailers. Hold, says the Independent.

Although Dimension Data's results were ahead of estimates and its balance sheet boasts a comforting $400 million of cash, yesterday's 6 per cent bounce in the shares to 31¼p, or eight times earnings, may be as good as it gets for now. Avoid, says the Times.

A punt on any biotech firm is a risky investment, but those wanting exposure to the sector could do worse than buy BTG. With £67.5m of cash on the balance sheet and an ambition to hit the FTSE 250, investors could do very nicely. Buy, says the Independent.

At 343½p, or ten times earnings, and yielding 6.7 per cent, BPP appears to be good value, given the strength of its brand, the scope to exploit recently bestowed degree-awarding powers and the undimmed potential for bid interest from an American rival. The Times says hold.

Last year, Amec posted pre-tax profits of £149.1m on sales of £2.36bn and Citigroup is forecasting profits this year to hit £196.9m, on sales of £2.6bn. This gives a forward multiple of 11.8 times, falling to 8.5 times in 2010. Buy, says the Telegraph.

Fenner is a strong company and will be fine during the recession. The shares might do well, but buyers should wait for evidence. Hold for now, says the Independent.

If passenger numbers pick up John Menzies will be well placed to cash in. Having lost fourth fifths of their value since May, the shares are worth holding, especially with a full-year dividend forecast of 26½p, according to the Telegraph.

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.