...and the rest

Investors’ Chronicle

Economic weakness, most especially in Germany and central Europe, has weighed on sales at flooring manufacturer James Halstead in the second half of 2023. Yet that was offset by easing supply-chain pressures, allowing operating margins to widen to a healthy 19.2%. A 4.4% dividend yield is attractive, especially when you consider that this is a business that has raised its payout each year for the past 47 years. Buy (204p).

The Mail on Sunday

Pershing Square Holdings allows British investors to tap into the investing brilliance of Wall Street activist Bill Ackman. The shares have surged almost 50% over the past year as the US economy booms. Critics complain that “fees are too high”, but on a 27% discount to net asset value (NAV) there is still value to unlock in the shares. Hold (3,986p).

Shares

Our faith in scientific instrument maker Judges Scientific has been rewarded, with management reporting record revenue and operating profit for 2023. It also announced a 17% hike in the dividend. The shares have climbed by more than 17% over the past 12 months, but they are still worth holding because of structural growth in markets for scientific research and higher education (10,200p).

The Telegraph

Cooler inflation means interestrate cuts are finally looming. That heralds recovery for the housing market, which will boost activity at online property portal Rightmove.

The group accounts for 86% of all UK property searches, giving it huge leverage over estate agents. Its “enviable competitive position” and “solid finances” makes the shares a buy (533p).