…and some to hold, avoid or sell

Centrica Investors Chronicle

The energy group is losing UK customers as political and competitive pressures continue to weigh. Warmer weather (until last week) and increased competition have hit profits in its business supply division. Sell. 138p.

Foxtons Group The Mail on Sunday

The London-focused estate agent is struggling with a slowing property market, recently reporting a 26% fall in sales and 11% dip in revenues. Peel Hunt expects the challenging conditions to persist. Sell. 73.8p.

Fresnillo The Times

The precious metal miner’s revenues have climbed due to record silver production, but the move to increase gold production has divided opinion. Gold’s traditionally poor performance at times of rising interest rates is worrying. Hold. £11.97.

Metro Bank Investors Chronicle

The challenger bank has turned its first profit, with customer deposits up by almost a half. But with building delays and behind-expectation branch targets, shares are pricey and targets optimistic. Sell. £39.46.

Pearson Investors Chronicle

Recent disposals have left the educational publisher in better financial shape. But this doesn’t offset the “plethora of challenges” it faces on its slow digital migration, or the dismal market outlook. Revenues and profits are falling. Sell. 702p.

St James’s Place The Times

The wealth manager’s profits are up and it yields 3.7% with strong growth prospects. But shares do “terribly” in bear markets, as revenues depend on the value of assets. Now is not the time to chase. Hold. £11.54.