Thursday tips round-up: Standard Life, Admiral, Logica

4th Nov 2010 06:29

Insurer Standard Life is gaining ground in its priority market of Britain where, at £94.4 billion (up 10 per cent since January), almost 60 per cent of its £157.7 billion of fee-producing assets are managed. Standard Life is finally beginning to motor. Worth a punt, says the Times.Elsewhere in insurance, there is no doubting Admiral's extraordinary performance. Over the past year, the group's share price has almost doubled, and yesterday the third quarter interim management statement showed that turnover was up 50 per cent to £446m over the year before. It is time to take stock, as the shares now look fully valued - Numis has it on a price of 23.5 times estimated full year earnings - and market experts believe conditions could become tougher for the group next year. Hold, the Independent says.With yet another company tied to UK public-sector spending producing a profit warning ? energy specialist Eaga, this time ? nerves over Logica's own exposure to spending cuts are understandable. The IT company's third-quarter trading statement does indeed give some reason for concern. The shares sell on a reasonable ten times this year's earnings. Still, further progress could be limited, the Times says.However, the Independent thinks Logica has an ace up its sleeve - the company said it had seen strengthened demand from the financial services sector across all its markets. This is promising, as bank reforms have hardly run their course. With a price to earnings multiple of around 10 times for 2011, the stock is worth buying, the paper says.A return to profit in the third quarter for BP was very welcome, after a truly awful six months. Although the dividend is likely to be rebased, the prospective yield is still 6.2pc in 2011. The shares are a buy, according to the Telegraph.There are reasons for investors to be fearful about putting property group Capital Shopping Centres in their shopping bag. The shares continue to trade at a premium to its net asset value, suggesting overvaluation. The Independent thinks the retail sector in 2011 will be more resilient than doomsayers forecast, but at this price, sell, the paper advises.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.