Friday tips round-up: Dignity, Clarkson, Cineworld

Funeral group Dignity's shares have jumped by just 10% the past year, suggesting they are fairly valued, trading on a 2010 price-to-earnings ratio of 15.5 times.

In the longer term, the so-called "baby boomers" are expected to start dying off in large numbers over the next few years, which will provide a fillip for Dignity's businesses. In the shorter term, while the company is very much alive and kicking, we reckon investors should pause. Hold says the Independent.

Dignity shares trade on a current-year earnings multiple of 15.6 times, which appears fully priced, but the successful model means the stance remains buy, although gains are likely to be steady rather than rapid. Buy says the Telegraph.

The 20% rise over the past four months has less to do with the stock market's renewed preference for defensive investments than with the belief that Dignity may return cash to investors - much as it did in 2006, when it handed back 100p a share as part of a debt refinancing. However, at 677œp, or 15 times earnings, the shares are up with events. Pass says the Times.

No 3-D glasses were required to bring Cineworld's figures into focus. Britain's second-biggest cinema operator reported results that were comfortably ahead of City expectations: earnings per share rose 11% in 2009 on underlying revenues up 9% to £333m. At 172œp, or ten times 2010 earnings, and yielding a solid 5.8%, Cineworld should be held for the dividend alone, says the Times.

Shanks has had a rough few days. The waste management company has seen its share price slump, then soar and come under pressure again after it broke off talks with the buyout specialist Carlyle. Shanks is heavily exposed to its non-municipal waste business, which is sensitive to ups and downs in factory output. With the economy on the mend in the UK and in the other parts of Europe where Shanks operates, this exposure should pay off and boost the company's earnings. Buy says the Independent.

Shipping specialist Clarkson's shares have already risen by about 90p in recent weeks, but there is still more to go. Panmure estimates put the price-to-earnings ratio of the stock at about seven times, based on this year's revenue forecasts. And when the impact of last year's investment cuts across both the shipping and commodities sectors start to feed through in a few years' time, business for Clarkson will be booming again. Buy says the Independent.

For the first time in its 157-year history, Clarkson has more staff abroad than on its home turf. At 853p, up 35p, or nine times 2010 earnings and yielding 5%, buy on weakness adds the Times.


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