The week’s best buys

Direct Line Investors Chronicle

The insurer’s Churchill and Green Flag (vehicle rescue service) brands attract strong customer loyalty, enabling premiums to be raised. Visibility’s been enhanced by a home insurance deal with RBS. Yields 3.6%. Buy. 392.30p.

Greggs The Times

The bakery chain, known for cheap eats, is revitalising its offering and investing in distribution operations to support expansion into retail parks, hospitals and universities. Worth the premium. Buy. £10.35.

IG Design Group The Mail on Sunday

The gift wrap and greetings card giant is in “rude health”, with “extremely bright” prospects: it has invested in state-of-the art equipment and now sells to more than 80 countries. Potential for US growth is huge. Buy. 218.5p.

Intercontinental Hotels Group The Times

IHG has completed its asset disposal programme and is growing organically. With 5,000 hotels in 100 countries, the group is resilient to regional shocks, and the dividend looks solid. Buy. £31.04.

Photo-me International Investors Chronicle

The photo-booth operator’s overseas government-related work (photo ID cards) is driving demand, and turnover at its self-service laundry business has trebled. It has plenty of cash and a forward yield of 5.4%. Buy. 155p.

Standard Chartered The Times

The Asia-focused bank’s turnaround is under way, albeit slowly. Costs are sharply down, unwanted assets are being ditched, and the quality of the loan book is not as bad as feared. Profits are recovering. Buy. 688.20p.