The week’s best buys

Ashtead Group Investors Chronicle

The equipment rental firm is benefiting from strong US demand, tax cuts and dollar strength. Growth, profitability and upgrades continue to look impressive, and buy-backs add to the appeal. Buy. £20.61.

Shire The Times

The undervalued rare disease and neuroscience specialist has agreed a £45bn takeover by Takeda. It’s a risky deal for the Japanese pharmaceutical company, but necessary to compete with rivals in America. Prospects look strong. Buy. £40.58.

TUI The Times

Thanks to rebranding, the travel business looks reinvigorated, and now appeals to a younger and broader clientele. Shares are up 47% in twelve months, but are still trading strongly. Yields 3.6%. Buy. £17.66.

Walt Disney Co Investors Chronicle

The US entertainment behemoth has an “immense” film and TV library, and a portfolio of “hugely popular” theme parks. A stream of box-office hits is expected this year, plus a new digital TV platform. Buy. $102.78.

The Mail on Sunday

The pub chain has revealed worse than expected Q3 sales growth. But Investec believes it is “benefiting from trading down within the sector”, and “continues to take market share from competition”. Buy. £11.55.

XP Power The Mail on Sunday

XP makes power supply units and converters for the electronics industry. Analysts think the acquisition of its US peer Glassman brings revenue opportunities: sales and profits could rise 30% by 2020. Buy. £35.80.