Friday tips round-up: 888, Petropavlovsk, Compass

1st Apr 2011 06:29

The best that can be said about the full-year results from 888 Holdings is that profits did not collapse quite as badly as feared. The online bookie reported a 56% slide in pre-tax profits to $15.1 million (£9.4m) from revenues up 6.2 per cent at $262.1m. Sell, says the Times.Russian gold miner Petropavlovsk revealed that pre-tax profits last year fell to $94.9 million from $178.2m the year before. However, Petropavlovsk's financial situation could be about to turn. Gold production is likely to surge this year and operating costs are tipped to fall as it exploits higher-grade rock. If Petropavlovsk can deliver this combination, investors will finally get to reap the rewards of record gold prices, says the Times.Compass, the world's largest food-service company, continued its strong momentum over the six months to the end of March. While a forward-earnings multiple of 14 is not cheap, the Independent thinks the group is a tasty long-term prospect for future investors, with analysts tipping substantial growth in its dividend yield, the newspaper says.Like broody vampires who hang out with teenage girls? No? Well, Entertainment One does, as its distribution of the Twilight saga in the UK has proved very lucrative indeed. The independent film and television distribution company put out a short update yesterday without, it should be noted, a mention of its lucrative bloodsuckers. The forward-earnings multiple of 12.4 times means there could be more in the way of upside, the Independent says.G4S has been a weak performer over the last month despite in-line results and an improving outlook, which was evidenced by a 14 per cent rise in the final dividend. The group remains well-placed from a competitive standpoint. It is the world's largest security company, is one of the few large operators that can provide. Valuation remains attractive, with the stock trading on a 2012E PE of 10x. The Scotsman says buy.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.