Tuesday tips round-up: Regus, Netcall, Cobham...

22nd Mar 2011 06:38

Serviced office group Regus's proposition is that as workforces become more mobile, employers will rent offices rather than own them outright. In the long term, there is no question that Regus will continue to build on these positive trends. But with the shares on more than 20 times this year's earnings forecasts, progress for the shares in the short term could be limited says the Times.Regus appears to have turned a corner, but it is hard to recommend its shares, which trade on on a lofty forward earnings multiple of 22 times. Given such a demanding rate, be cautious until they cool down a bit after yesterday's powerful surge. Hold says the Telegraph. Netcall's technology, used by the florist Interflora and Lloyds Bank, means people ringing a customer service centre will have their details taken by an answer machine and receive a call back from a person, rather than waiting on the line as their lives slowly slip away. The firm has no debt and no debt and the majority of revenues are recurring. At around 12 times forward earnings, this looks a good bet says the Independent.Renewable Energy Generation may have been recently by a lack of wind but look beyond the bald numbers, and REG offers much promise. It has received planning consent for new farms, increased its generating capacity and commissioned a windfarm near Rotherham, which is currently being built. The onset of gusty weather should help drive business back into the black, presenting an opportunity for investors. Buy says the Independent.Gem Diamonds has revealed that it is in talks with Canadian-listed Lucara Diamond over a possible merger. However, at the moment it is difficult to get a handle on exactly how any deal would work. Gem's recent full-year numbers were solid, helped by the fact that diamond prices recovered about 90% from their nadir in the economic crisis. Indeed, the price of rough stones is now higher than it was in 2008 before the credit crunch hit home. Hold says the Telegraph.Cobham is best known for its heavy aviation engineering. The tankers that refuel RAF aircraft flying to Libya, for example, use the company's pipes and drogues. A few weeks ago it received a huge boost when American authorities, after lengthy deliberations, finally went for Boeing's KC-46A tanker, which Cobham supplies. The initial tranche of 179 craft could be worth $1bn (£613m) to the company. Yesterday Cobham announced a further useful order from Boeing to make bomb racks for F15E jets. The shares are trading on less than 11 times this year's earnings. There seems little sign that demand for Cobham's product will lessen; a strong long-term "hold" says the Times.Today, Cairn Energy will report 2010 results and, it is expected, encouraging news on the sale of a majority stake in its oilfield in Rajasthan to Vedanta. This will raise $6bn or more, of which as much as half will go back to shareholders. This windfall, according to a note from Investec Securities yesterday, is worth between 90p and 135p a share. Cairn shares have drifted back from their peak of nearly £5 last summer and closed yesterday at 420p. Good news from India could give them a fresh impetus says the Times.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.