Tuesday tips round-up: Optos, First Group, Quindell Portfolio

16th Oct 2012 06:45

Optos is a Scottish medical technology company that makes scanning devices allowing early detection of cataracts, glaucoma or retinal detachment. Tempus in The Times writes that operating profits for the year to September are set to beat market forecasts of 22.3m dollars. In addition, its management have good form. Chief Executive Roy Davis previously ran Gyrus, which was sold for 935m pounds and Peter Fellner, the Chairman built Celltech, which fetched 1.5bn pounds. Numis has a price target of 300p and they are "worth tucking away."The Independent advises investors to hold tight on Stagecoach but buy FirstGroup. It says Stagecoach is a ruthless well oiled machine that doesn't make mistakes. "But I wouldn't be buying any more just yet and the shares have enjoyed a good run recently. Buy only on weakness." Of FirstGroup it comments: "Worries abound. But the shares have settled at a low enough level that it might be worth taking a speculative interest."In The Telegraph Questor writes that insurance and telecoms outsourcing business Quindell Portfolio continues to deliver, issuing yet another upbeat trading statement yesterday. It believes that Quindell offers a unique business proposition; using its technology and market experience to provide services to insurance companies that allow them to slash operating costs. If the company does manage to hit earnings per share of 2p next year, a stated aim of management, "the earnings multiple would be a mere 6.25." Hence, Quindell shares remain a buy.CM