The week’s best buys

Associated British Foods The Times

ABF is a “hotchpotch” of food-makers, agricultural interests and Primark, which has had a “stunning” second half. The fashion retailer has 320 stores in 11 countries, and is expanding globally as sales rise 4%. Buy. £31.58.

BHP Billiton The Daily Telegraph

The world’s largest miner has good assets in politically stable parts of the world. It has cut debt and generates plenty of cash. Trades at a 16% discount due to its dual listing in London and Sydney. Yields 4.6%. Buy. £14.38.

The Times

The housebuilder is less exposed to central London than peers and is buying land with “acceptable margins”. There’s still a “chronic under supply” of new homes, and construction is back in health. Yields above 7%. Buy. £13.40.

Mcbride Investors Chronicle

The consumer goods firm is in phase two of its turnaround, as profitability and cash generation improve. Debt has fallen and the acquisition of dishwasher-tablet maker Danlind will boost earnings. Buy. 195p.

The Mail on Sunday

Berenberg believes the advertising and marketing firm is “well positioned for expansion” after buying peer Elvis Communications for £5.5m. The broker named a 500p price target. Buy. 418.5p.

Ricardo The Times

This “highly regarded” engineer is focused on energy and environmental consulting. Shares have been hit by uncertainty in the automotive market, but the order book is strong, and it is well-positioned in growth markets. Buy. 775p.