Friday tips round-up: Unilever, Reed Elsevier, Intertek

27th Jul 2012 07:04

Questor in the Telegraph can't quite bring himself to recommend a buy of Unilever despite praising it to the hilt. Yesterday the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods firm posted a turnover increase of 11.5 per cent, which, in the current markets is an 'exceptional result' says the column. The only thing preventing a buy recommendation is a price to earnings ratio of 17.8 times. Which, on most measures is very pricey. But Questor thinks Unilever is a transformed firm with significantly enhanced prospects.Reed Elsevier is a good defensive play thinks Tempus in the Times. Yesterday's results are characterised as "reassuringly dull" but the publishing and events giant is seeing growth across all five divisions, despite an attempted boycott of its academic products by some professors who argue they are being overcharged. With the shares at 10.8 times earnings and a dividend of 6p, Tempus says hold.There's no buy recommendation on products testing firm Intertek, but Tempus is very wary of betting against a firm that has had a meteoric rise, up 738% in the last 10 years, 47% in the last year alone. It's also beginning to offer testing services to the new manufacturing bases like Thailand and Sri Lanka. Trading at 22 times earnings the shares look expensive but, as Tempus says, not many will want to bet against Intertek.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.BS