Sunday & mid-week share tips

By THIS IS MONEY
Updated: 09:45 EST, 25 February 2007

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Each week we round up the Sunday newspaper share tips and the views of the mid-week tipsters too.

For the Mail on Sunday's stock picks read the Midas column.

Sunday Telegraph

Chocolate company Thorntons may have recently disappointed the market with news of an 18% fall in pre-tax profits to £10.5m in the six months to 6 January. But the confectionery retailer offered hope with news it was on course to meet-full year expectations. Increased investment in its stores and online sales helped boost sales by 2.1% in the final three months, compared to a fall of 7.6% in the first quarter of the year, boding well for the final half of the year.Shares are trading a little on the expensive side at 171½p - up from 145¾p last September - but still have potential upside with a recovery on the cards.

Developer Derwent Valley is well placed in its sector, given its focus on London offices - one of the few growth areas left in commercial property. The group, formed from the merger of Derwent Valley and London Merchant Securities (LMS) earlier this year, has seen its share price lag behind that of it rival Portland Estates by some 20%.

Now priced at 2217p after a slight recent rally, the shares are in line for a further boost having dropped at the start of the year over fears the price paid for LMS was too steep. The growth prospects for the company look good: a rise in value is expected in the value of the company's core portfolio of London offices; Derwent is set to sell a substantial amount of its non-core assets; and a conversion to tax-efficient real estate investment trust status is on the cards over the next few months.

Mid-week share tips

Telegraph

Barclays shares, up 3 to 784½p, put it on 10 times 2008 earnings with a 4.5% yield. Not expensive compared against peers with a stronger growth record. Buy.

The Times

Barclays shares have risen 10% so far this year and short-term potential in the shares is already priced in. Hold.

Shares in Shire Pharmaceuticals may have spiked higher this week but their long-term potential remains extremely encouraging. Any weakness should prove a buying opportunity.

Independent

Taylor Woodrow is trading at more than nine times earnings and investors would do well to avoid until a clearer picture about its prospects across the Atlantic emerges.

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