Wednesday tips round-up: Lloyds Banking, Severn Trent, SSL

On balance, Lloyds Banking investors should take up their rights and consider this an investment for the long term suggests the Telegraph.

The average shareholder owns 740 shares, which means the average sum an investor will have to stump up to prevent dilution at this stage is £367. Ultimately, the British economy will recover and the banking system along with it. This will, however, take time. Investors currently holding the shares should take up their rights.
Regulator Ofwat's initial plan for the industry is to force prices down by 4%. For Severn Trent specifically, prices are scheduled to come down by 1.5%, taking the average bill to £281, some 12% less than the £318 Severn proposed.

The firm raised the interim dividend payment by 1.6% to 26.7p but analysts are already predicting a rebasing of the dividend next year as the new price controls kick in. For investors looking for the safety and predictability of a utility stock, water may not be the best sector. Look for better options elsewhere. Sell says the Independent.

Durex to Scholl group SSL shares are undoubtedly trading on a high rating. The March 2010 earnings multiple is 21.8, falling to 17.5 in 2011. The company's stated aim is to grow earnings per share to 42p by 2012, which would imply an earnings multiple of about 16 times. However, the company's growth profile justifies this rating, so the Telegraph is maintaining a long-term buy stance, although new investors may wish to wait to see if there is any pullback in the share price over the next few days before diving in.

Garry Watts, the chief executive of SSL, also detects no sign of consumer recovery in the UK, although it accounts for only 15 % of sales. SSL is well managed, but at 720p, or 19 times next year's earnings, the shares are looking stretched. Take profits adds the Times.

Homeserve, the repair insurance group, has had a lucky escape. The group used to provide fire and flood restoration services, but recently sold its emergency services business to concentrate on what it says are higher margin membership divisions. Homeserve only yields 2.6%, which is adequate if not spectacular. Moreover, even though most analysts back the group to continue to pump out the good numbers, the shares do already appear to be fully valued. Hold says the Independent.

Homeserve has proved a reliable forecaster of its own fortunes, which suggests its upbeat outlook should be taken on trust. Meanwhile, it has created a clearly exportable business model, faces no serious international competition and has negligible debt. At £16.26, or 15 times current-year earnings, buy on weakness suggests the Times.

Plumbing supplies group BSS is braced for the worst in the public sector from government cutbacks but says that expansion in new niches, such as renewable energy, drainage and heating spares, should more than offset the hit. At 253Œp, or nine times next year's earnings, the gloom is priced in. Buy says the Times.

Media Square, which runs companies ranging from advertising and public relations to research, has endured a chequered few years. It is now looking to return to growth after picking up the pieces from bad management decisions and plain bad luck. Revenues are expected to remain under pressure, although following the turnaround plan, which saw the group bring its agencies from 40 two years ago to 11, annual costs should fall from £6m to £2m. Hold says the Independent.


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.