Latest share tips: Persimmon, Whitbread & more

Here's your roundup of the latest share tips. See which companies the experts are buying, selling or holding this week.

Persimmon, Associated British Foods and Whitbread are among the companies under the spotlight this week.

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1. Persimmon – BUY

Symbol: PSN.L

Index: FTSE 100

The housebuilder has enjoyed a good start to the year, despite the volatile nature of the global economic backdrop.

Trading has so far been unaffected by the ongoing uncertainty in the United States, according to Sam Cullen, an analyst at Peel Hunt.

“We still view Persimmon as well placed in the context of a recovering market,” he said. 

2. Associated British Foods – HOLD

Symbol: ABF.L

Index: FTSE 100

Shares in Primark’s owner tumbled after the conglomerate downgraded full-year guidance for its sugar business. 

Various restructuring and strategic reviews were announced for the struggling businesses, according to Anubhav Malhotra, an analyst at Panmure Liberum.

“Today’s results give further credence to our argument that a sale or carve out of the volatile sugar business into a separate entity would make the ABF investment case more compelling,” he said.

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3. Whitbread – BUY

Symbol: WTB.L

Index: FTSE 100

The pub and hotel operator has said its five-year plan, which includes returning £2 billion to shareholders, remains on track.

Ivor Jones, an analyst at Peel Hunt, believes the company’s attractions as a real estate investment can get overlooked.

“Whitbread owns 55% of its UK hotels, underpinning the value of its shares,” he said. “We reiterate our ‘buy’ rating and 3,500p target price.”

4. Howden Joinery – BUY

Symbol: HWDN.L

Index: FTSE 100

The manufacturer and distributor of kitchens has pleased the stock market by revealing it has enjoyed a strong start to the year.

Adrian Kearsey, an analyst at Panmure Liberum, attributes the success to a combination of its in-stock distribution model, uniquely motivated team, and effective distribution network.

“On the back of this outperformance and the small uptick in investment, we anticipate the shares will continue their positive run,” he said.

5. Young & Co's Brewery – BUY

Symbol: YNGA.L

Index: FTSE Fledgling

Like-for-like sales rose 5.7% in the year to March and were up 7.7% in the fourth quarter – both materially ahead of the market.

The figures were helped by strong performances from recent pub investments, including The Guinea Grill in Mayfair, according to Douglas Jack, an analyst at Peel Hunt.

“In our view, the shares do not reflect the like-for-like sales momentum nor the potential from the City Pub Group acquisition,” he said. 

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The information included in this article does not constitute regulated financial advice. You should seek independent, professional financial advice before making any investment decision.