...and the rest

Investors’ Chronicle

Tesco is feeling bullish thanks to a period of calmer foodprice inflation. Management has announced a £1bn sharebuyback plan and an 11% hike in the dividend. Despite costof-living pressures, Tesco has even managed to grow its market share of late in spite of competition from discounters. A greater focus on food than some of its peers increases resilience, while on 11 times forward earnings the valuation remains “undemanding”. Buy (290p).

The Mail on Sunday

Gold and silver have started to shine, giving shares in Latin American precious metals miner Hochschild Mining an “extraordinary” 40% rally already this year. The production outlook is auspicious. Still, “cautious investors” may wish to “sell half their stock” to lock in some profits (149p).

Shares

The Canadian economy’s strengths in natural resources, banking and technology are often overlooked because of its giant southern neighbour. Duallisted in Toronto and London,

Canadian General Investments trust offers broad exposure to the world’s tenth-largest economy. It boasts a “formidable long-run... record” and a “cavernous” 41% discount to net asset value (NAV). Buy (2,170p).

The Telegraph

Supply-chain trouble has sent shares in Vimto maker Nichols down by 45% in five years. While performance in the UK has been weak, sales are proving much more robust overseas. Shareholders should look beyond the poor record and keep the faith in hopes that a cyclical upswing, solid balance sheet and “sound strategy” will bear fruit. Hold (990p).