Thursday tips round-up: Hikma, IG Group, Derwent

Hikma's forecast of "low teens" growth in branded drugs in 2010 was lower than some stockbrokers - such as Panmure Gordon - had been expecting. The corollary is that Hikma expects US generic drugs and injectable medicines, its two other businesses, to grow more strongly than before.

But at 580p, down 15p, or 18 times Panmure's 2010 earnings forecasts, Hikma's near-term prospects are already priced in. The strong likelihood of sizeable bolt-on acquisitions in Morocco and Tunisia - or at least uncertainty over their funding - also suggests there will be better times to buy, according to the Times.

Spread-betting operator IG Group is still on the growth track, despite a fall in market volatility and its woes in Japan. The shares, recommended on May 10 last year at 254p, are now 62pc higher, which compares with a market up 26pc. Although share-price gains may not be as rapid as seen over the last nine months, the stance on the shares remains buy as the yield is secure and likely to grow, says the Telegraph.

Derwent London was commercial property's best address in 2009. However, at £13.28, down 8p, or a 14 per cent premium to historic NAV, the shares are likely to pause for breath until evidence of rental growth feeds through. Hold if you own them; pass if you don't, says the Times.

Given the rally in Derwent's shares over the past year, the Independent believes that investors should pile back into this well-run company when the shares hit a more enticing valuation. Hold.

Playtech, which designs, develops and licences gambling software, has a strong pipeline of new products, is well placed to cash in on moves towards deregulation in territories such as France, Spain and even America and its cash pile of EUR30 million gives it the firepower to make further bolt-ons. At 507p, or 14 times 2010 earnings, hold, says the Times.

With Avocet Mining's shares trading on a multiple of 9.7 times Evolution's forecasts for 2010. Put simply, the Independent says it would keep buying.

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