The week’s best shares

Alphabet The Times

As well as owning Google, Gmail and Youtube, Alphabet is a “Pandora’s box of potential value and possibilities for future growth” in areas as diverse as broadband provision, AI and life sciences. Buy. $1,258.

Diageo The Mail on Sunday

Demand for gin and craft beer, this summer’s “must-have tipples”, has boosted profits for the drinks giant, whose brands include Gordon’s, Guinness and Hop House 13 Lager. A buy-back should boost dividends. Buy. £28.36.

The Times

Since joining the FTSE 100 last year, the health and safety specialist’s revenues are up 10% and profits 9%. Seemingly “immune” to politics, shares have risen. “There may be dips ahead”, but it should deliver. Buy. £14.07.

Hotel Chocolat Group Investors Chronicle

Timely product launches, 15 new store openings and 200,000 new digital customers annually are driving sales for the chocolate producer. Strong cashflow could accelerate this compelling brand’s growth plans. Buy. 340p.

The Mail on Sunday

This software provider helps some of the UK’S biggest firms and accountants collect relevant data and manage the increasingly demanding taxation process. Profits are expected to jump by 18%. Buy. 85.5p.

Zytronic The Daily Telegraph

Zytronic’s expertise in touchscreens is a “key competitive edge” conferring pricing power and deterring would-be rivals. The upshot is high margins and strong cash generation. Yields 4.9%. Buy. 467.5p.