…and some to hold, avoid or sell

Empresaria Investors Chronicle

Although top-line growth at the recruiter has continued, half-year figures were hit by tighter regulation in Germany. Regulatory changes in Japan and low productivity in the UK are also concerns. Hold. 87p.

Hargreaves Lansdown The Daily Telegraph

Britain’s biggest investment shop has become “a formidable machine”, attracting a net £7.6bn of new client money over the past year, with profits jumping 10% to £292.4m. It has also reinstated its special dividend at 7.8p. Hold. £21.75.

Phoenix Group The Times

The UK’S biggest consolidator of closed life assurance and pension funds almost collapsed during the financial crisis. Now it’s rising from the ashes with a planned £2.9bn buyout of Standard Life’s insurance business. Hold. 710p.

Polypipe The Daily Telegraph

This plastic pipes-maker showed resilience in the teeth of tough market conditions and adverse weather in early 2018. Although underlying operating profits fell by 4.2%, the balance sheet is solid and it yields 3% plus. Hold. 360.6p.

Rank Group Investors Chronicle

New UK Gambling Commission rules, requiring companies to determine the source of funds for high-stake bets, have hit Rank hard. Sales in the Grosvenor business are down 6.1% and profits have fallen by 6.7%. Sell. 172p.

RHI Magnesita Investors Chronicle

The merger of industrial metal specialists RHI and Magnesita Refratários created the world’s largest manufacturer of refractories. Annual savings are expected, but costs have jumped and the impact of tariffs looms. Hold. £47.42.