Tuesday tips round-up: Berkeley Homes, Ophir Energy, John Laing

19th Mar 2013 06:56

After having frozen its dividend for several years, so as to dedicate funds to the purchase of lands, Berkeley Homes has now decided that the time has come to change tack and reward sharehodlers. In fact, its capital repayment programme is the largest in the sector. Having said that, for the Times´s Tempus the above looks eminently affordable and there is no reason to expect that the housebuilding markets in London and South East will stop behaving well. Even so, Tempus is not convinced that the shares have a lot further to run given their lofty valuations. Hence, he tells readers that: "anyone in over the past year might consider taking some profits, from Berkeley and the sector as a whole."Accumulating returns - through dividends and capital gains - of 18% over the last year John Laing Infrastructure Fund (JLIF) hasn´t done badly, particularly given its nature as a defensive investment for income seekers. Some might opine that its 7% premium over its net asset value (NAV) is too high, but what matters for this kind of funds is the income they generate, The Telegraph´s Questor team says. For that reason, and given the company´s attractive historic yield, Questor keeps a buy on the shares, believing the sector is an ideal home for long-term income seekers. Shares of oil exploration outfit Ophir Energy have risen strongly since floating at 250p back in the summer of 2011. That comes as a result of the fact that the huge gas field found off Tanzania with its partner BG Group is shaping up to be one of the most important on the planet. The stock price has come off its peaks but Ophir has a strong exploration programme elsewhere and sufficient financial muscle to follow through. It will now push ahead with developing a well in deeper waters off the coast of Tanzania. Still an attractive prospect for the long term, Tempus writes.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.AB