Sunday newspaper share tips

By THIS IS MONEY
Updated: 09:15 EST, 6 March 2005

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EACH week, we round up the main share tips from the Sunday newspapers. For the Mail On Sunday's renowned Midas column click here.

Sunday Telegraph

SHARE in BPB, the global plasterboard group, stand at 510p after doubling since the start of 2003. The company is the 88th-largest company on the London stock market and should benefit from further growth in Asia and the Far East. Buy.

Four product launches and a strong cash pile means Shire Pharmaceuticals is rated a good long-term bet at 588.5p. The company got off to a difficult start this year but has been helped by support for its hyperactivity drug Adderall XR from the all-important US regulator.

Robert Walters, the specialist recruitment and personnel company, gave the market a pleasant surprise last week when profits rose 112%. A shortage of qualified professionals and increasing demand from clients has driven growth, while prospects are strong in Asia. Shares are a buy at 132p.

Shares in Evolutec, a biotech involved in the development of medicines utilising molecules in saliva, are worth a look at 175p. The stock has risen 40% since its flotation but should have further to go on the back of strong newsflow and the benefit of an experienced management team.

Outdoor advertising group Maiden is expected to put losses behind it later this month when it unveils full-year profits of £1 million. With the market set for growth over the next few years, shares - at 227.5p - are worth considering.

Sunday Times

Publisher Future's planned acquisition of Highbury House for £31.6m will give it an estimated 95% share of the video games magazine market. With the expected launch of PlayStation 3 next year, Tim Steer, a fund manager at New Star, rates the media stock as a buy. Shares are currently 83.5p.

The Business

Specialist publisher Electric World signalled its coming of age by reporting a maiden annual profit and holding out the prospect of paying a dividend. Current trading is also in line with expectations and ahead of the 2004 financial year. At 8p, shares are rated a buy by Andrew Griffiths of Aim Investor.