Friday tips round-up: Vodafone, Balfour Beatty, RSA...

12th Nov 2010 06:51

In an attempt to "create a more valuable Vodafone" the world's largest mobile phone group will focus its efforts on Europe, India and Africa. To underscore this point the group also revealed that it planned to sell its interest in Japanese wireless operator Softbank for £3.1bn. This money will be used to reduce debt and the amount raised is larger than most analysts thought it was worth. The shares are still very attractive, and are now yielding a prospective 5.1%, rising to 5.5% next year. They are trading on a March 2011 earnings multiple of 10.9 times, falling to 10.5 in 2012, and remain a buy for the dividend - but growth prospects are now attached too, says the Telegraph.Balfour Beatty is now well spread and with a range of disciplines within the group that allow it to carry through all stages of complex infrastructure projects. It has cash in the bank, despite the Parsons deal, and the order book stands at £15bn, ahead of the £14.6bn reported at the end of the first half. It is arguable whether this strength has been taken on board by the market. The shares, trading on about eight times next year's earnings and yielding a prospective 4.6%, suggest that the group is still being rated as a builder heavily reliant on the UK public sector, and look distinctly cheap suggests the Times.These days BBA makes almost all its money servicing aircraft, fuelling them and maintaining mechanical parts such as engines and landing gear. BBA's like-for-like revenues for the four months to end-October rose by 6%, an improvement on the 3% notched up in the first half. Traditionally, flight hours have tended to grow at twice the rate of GDP, which gives an indication of available future organic growth. The shares change hands on about ten times next year's earnings. No reason to chase; up with events, though a hold for future economic growth, says the Times.Western Coal is the largest company quoted on the Alternative Investment Market with a capitalisation of about £1.7bn, but it is to graduate by the end of the year to the main list. It aims to raise production from 3m tonnes this year to 10m in 2013 without having to raise fresh cash from investors. The shares are on about 9 times next year's earnings. Interesting, if highly speculative says the Times.Although trading at a higher rating than some other insurance groups, the dividend yield - at 6.7% - RSA is still very attractive for income seekers. Group net written premiums over the nine months rose 10% to £5.531bn, representing a slight acceleration from the interim stage, which saw the figure rise 9%. Management expects UK growth for the full year to be in line with the 10% level reported at the nine-month stage. Buy for the income says the Telegraph.BT may be capable of truly hideous customer service but financially things are looking chipper. Yesterday the company issued its second-quarter results and upgraded guidance for the rest of the year. But BT looks cheap. It's a hard company to love and comes with any number of health warnings, but even after their good run and a hit to revenue from government cuts, there's more to come. Buy says the Independent.The Restaurant Group, which operates the Frankie & Benny's, Garfunkel's and Chiquito eatery chains, yesterday delivered a tasty set of results for the 45 weeks to 7 November, touting its "resilient" performance despite a "tough economic backdrop". THe main concern remains the unmistakable fact that UK consumers will have less money to spend next year on dining out. Sit tight for now. Hold says the Independent.Football club Tottenham yesterday unveiled results for the year ending 30 June. Surprise, surprise, they lost money. There might be something in this club from an investment standpoint. But only with money you can afford to lose. Speculative 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.