The week’s best buys

Acal The Mail on Sunday

This electronics specialist, focused on transport and medical devices, has improved its central monitoring. Good growth prospects, rising profit margins and an expected dividend are reasons to ignore the sceptics. Buy. 257.5p.

French Connection Investors Chronicle

Things are looking up for the fashion retailer, which is expected to report positive like-for-like sales. Rumours of takeover possibilities, teamed with an impressive cash pile, add to its credentials as a recovery play. Buy. 37p. A set of slightly disappointing sales figures shouldn’t detract from another solid performance from the corporate travel management giant. Chunkier margins have boosted confidence of earnings growth in the year ahead. Buy. 70p.

Intermediate Capital Group The Times

This investment business has just realigned its balance sheet with a special dividend payment. Not an easy company to value, but confidence in the growth of the fund management arm makes it a long-term buy. Buy. 657p.

The Times

The owners of Patisserie Valerie have expanded the café chain to 126 branches, and first-half profits are up by 21%. The hospitality sector is tricky, but management looks solid, and there’s a progressive dividend policy. Buy. 354p.

Watkin Jones Group The Mail on Sunday

This property development firm has moved into student accommodation: a model with little extra outlay. The move into for-rent-only development has seen profits jump by 20% this year, and dividends look solid. Buy. 109p.