…and some to hold, avoid or sell

Harvey Nash Investors Chronicle

A minority shareholder, The Power of Talent, has made an all-cash offer for the recruiter. Shareholders are eligible for a half-year dividend of 1.75p a share, provided it’s announced before the deal’s completion. Hold. 130p.

Icade The Daily Telegraph

The French property firm is taking advantage of the stability of the core business to grow its portfolio, extending into areas such as healthcare. “No fireworks”, but management is executing well. Hold. s82.82.

Lok’nstore The Daily Telegraph

This self-storage group is enjoying rapid growth in a sector still relatively undeveloped in Britain. Sales are up by 6%, occupancy by 7.7% and the number of landmark stores is set to rise to nine. Hold. 415p.

Majestic Wine The Sunday Times

Majestic’s underlying annual profits are up by a third and it has reduced its debt. But plans to pump cash into partner tie-ups, rather than open more stores, are risky – they rely on an online model translating to the high street. Avoid. 415p.

Mitchells & Butlers Investors Chronicle

Warm weather and the World Cup may have briefly boosted business, but the pub group’s total sales have been largely flat, and added costs have hit margins. Dividends are unlikely to resume any time soon. Sell. 240p.

Serica Energy Investors Chronicle

The fruitfulness of Serica’s gas-field acquisitions is reliant on the US government agreeing to extend a sanctions waiver set to expire next month. Serica is lobbying strongly, but it’s hard to know what might happen. Sell. 75.5p.