Sunday newspaper share tips

By This Is Money
Updated: 06:15 EDT, 12 May 2008

Each week, we round up the main share tips from the Sunday newspapers. For the Mail on Sunday's stock picks read the Midas archive.

(Click on the highlighted company names for the share and related data.)

The Sunday Telegraph

Stockbroker Numis Securities has a history of using a downturn in the City to its best advantage. Last time around, the group was able to grow five fold by picking up a raft of good talent from competition amid the wave of job cuts in the banking sector and it seems to be planning a similar recruitment tactic as banks begin trimming their workforces.

The firm said on unveiling interims last week that it intends to 'exploit the volatility in the market to attract clients and staff to Numis in order to create long-term value for our shareholders'.

Of course, the group itself is not immune to the effects of the credit crunch, revealed in a £2m drop in first half pre-tax profits, to £16.1m, and a slowdown in fee income growth. But Numis has shown itself able in these conditions in the past and with a strong balance sheet, is worth a look for plucky investors, with shares at 190p.

IP Group - the firm that helps universities commercialise intellectual property - last week proudly announced that one of its nurtured investments, Revolymer, has secured a further round of fundraising, to the tune of £10m.

It seems the investment is fast turning into its star portfolio performer, given that it claims to have invented a revolutionary form of non-sticky chewing gum that could save authorities in Britain and around the globe the millions in removing the trouble substance.

The news suggested that there may well be mileage in IP Group, despite its share price languishing at just over £1, currently at 105p. There had been fears that its companies may find it hard to survive in the current trading conditions, but it is proving that results can be achieved even in turbulent times where there are good ideas to be marketed.