…and some to hold, avoid or sell

Associated British Foods

Investors Chronicle

Surging grocery brands (including Blue Dragon, Kingsmill and Jordans) helped ABF finish the year profitably despite Primark’s woes, which were compounded by the absence of an online sales channel. Hold. £16.99.

Marks & Spencer Group

Investors Chronicle

Although the retailer’s food arm achieved a healthy profit, it has tumbled into a half-year loss after miserable clothing and home sales. Shares did jump this week, as investors targeted the high street on news of a vaccine. Sell. 96p.

Regional REIT

The Daily Telegraph

This real estate investment trust has announced a further improvement of rent collection numbers. Peel Hunt rates it as one of the 158 companies “extremely likely” to reinstate dividends before June 2021. Hold. 64.2p.

Ryanair

The Sunday Telegraph

The low-cost airline’s s4.5bn cash pile puts it in a good position to snap up routes, capacity and planes from beleaguered rivals. Ryanair is a “strong survivor”, but it is still exposed to too many risks. Avoid. s13.34.

Sabre

The Daily Telegraph

The car insurer continues to maintain margins rather than chase growth. Shares are depressed as the market awaits the cycle to turn, but the dividend looks “completely secure”. Prospective yield 8.8%. Hold. 226p.

Shepherd Neame

The Times

This well-run, familycontrolled pub company has been hit hard by the pandemic – profits have slumped and it has swung into loss. Numbers are ahead of the market, but recovery depends on a vaccine. Avoid. 550p.