Sunday share tips: Ashtead and Sigmaroc

7th Jan 2024 13:33

(Sharecast News) - Ashtead is a "steady bet", according to The Sunday Times' Lucy Tobin, who recommends investors to buy shares in the UK-listed international equipment rental company.

Despite a profit warning from the company in November, which it blamed on "lower levels of emergency-response activity" and a few other red flags, Tobin said the stock's worth a punt due to its growth potential on the back of an infrastructure drive in America. The company's US division, Sunbelt Rentals, is "flourishing" due to President Biden's infrastructure push, building up an impressive pipeline of work, with around 500 projects either already under way or soon to begin.

The stock is currently trading at around 5,200p, up from its recent lows of 4,400p last April but well below the 6,400p peak in 2021.

"For a long-term investment, Ashtead looks a steady bet; even in recession, it will lap up the effects of government stimulation plans. Buy," Tobin said.

Over at the Mail on Sunday, Joanne Hart of the Midas column, recommends taking a look at Sigmaroc, the lime and industrial limestone producer, after November's £870m takeover of CRH's Northern European lime operations.

"With SigmaRoc valued on the stock market at less than £400 million, the deal was ambitious but big investors signalled their faith [...] approving the acquisition just before Christmas," Hart said.

The combined business should benefit from significant economies of scale and lower transport costs, with sales and profits expected to more than double this year and beyond.

"Midas verdict: Lime and limestone are essential components of daily life and SigmaRoc has now become a market leader in this sector. At 57p, the shares are a long-term buy," Hart recommended.