...and the rest

The Times

The likes of Featurespace have spotted an opportunity as consumers increasingly become targets for scams. The firm, which uses AI to target financial fraud, is working with banks and payment-processing firms across the world. It’s one of the most promising companies in “the sprawling portfolio” of IP Group ,aFTSE 250 investor in intellectual property. It’s best known for its investment in DNA sequencing-technology group Oxford Nanopore. The firm has a long-term approach, backing business “from conception to commercialisation, meaning investors must be patient”.

The company announced its first dividend this year”. Hold for now (147p).

The Daily Telegraph

Private-equity trust HgCapital has returned 97% since March 2019 thanks to its successful investments in software companies. The trusts’s premium to net asset value (NAV) is worth paying for. Hold (397p).

Investors’ Chronicle

Window maker Eurocell has benefited from the “home improvement boom” that began with the lockdowns last year. Sales rose by 80% year-on-year in the first half, and were 23% above 2019’s level. The shares have risen strongly but still have potential. Buy (286p).

Demand for Luceco’s products is growing strongly, largely thanks to “discretionary spending” in the residential market. The company makes half its money from wiring accessories and the other from LED lightning and portable power products. Costs for copper and plastic, which are essential for its products, are up sharply, but Luceco is offsetting this through price increases. Buy (439p).