Sunday newspaper share tips

Sunday Telegraph:

TOOL hire group Speedy Hire made pre-tax losses of £13.9m three years ago, but has since returned to the black and delivered consistently rising profits.

The company, which supplies tools and equipment to customers ranging from national contractors to DIY enthusiasts, is expected to reveal good trading news at its interim results later this month. Buy at 464p.

EMERGENCY repair company Homeserve has grown rapidly and its chief executive argues it has considerable scope for further expansion. It has been aggressively marketing its policies, which have increased from 850,000 two years ago to 958,000 last year. At 711.5p, shares are up 20% on the year but should have further to go.

EDUCATIONAL software provider ThirdForce is the largest UK provider of software that teaches and tests computer literacy. The Dublin-based group is expected to deliver just a small loss this year and has signed its first deal in China. At €0.27, the shares are worth a buy for brave investors.

The Business:

CLOTHING retailer Peacock has seen profits almost treble to £36m in the past five years, avoiding exposure to basic products where competition from supermarkets is most intense. Although High Street trading has been difficult, Peacock and its Fragrance Shop chain seem to be trading well, while there is scope for recovery at its other chain, Bon Marche. The shares are undervalued at 262p.

WAYNE Rooney's management agency Formation Group, formerly Proactive Sports, is back in profit, mainly as a result of taking over Kingsbridge Asset Management in 2003. Kingsbridge acts for more than 1,000 clients - mostly professional UK football players - and contributed virtually all of the group's profits last year. Buy at 6.75p.

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