Sunday share tips: Gulf Keystone Petroleum, Marks & Spencer, Lloyds Banking
By Digital Look
Date: Sunday 17 Jul 2016
(ShareCast News) - Gulf Keystone Petroleum shares could be worth buying, said the Sunday Times' Inside the City column, if shareholders vote to accept a debt restructuring deal that will leave them just 14% of the embattled oil producer. Shares in the Kurdistan-focused company last week dipped below 3p, meaning they have lost 99% of their value in around four years. Two year ago, a cash-strapped GKP's previous management team, amid boardroom battles, missed targets and shareholder scorn about inflated salaries, issued $250m of bonds at a painful 13% interest rate that has almost squeezed the life out of the company.
Last week a new management team agreed a deal with lenders to escape this debt deal, though in writing off most of the debt, two groups of creditors will take a combined 86% of the equity, with shareholders needing to stump up $25m for their 14% of a company that has a current market cap of £31m. While the northern Iraq location of GKP's main producing asset puts it within a stone's throw of the Isis front-line, the deal will leave the company with just $100m debt, $95m cash and 40,000 barrels daily production from its share of the Shaken oil field.
Midas in the Mail on Sunday suggested buying FTSE 100 high-dividend-yielding stocks Marks & Spencer; housebuilders Taylor Wimpey, Berkeley, Barratt Developments and Persimmon; and financial giants including Lloyds Banking Group, Direct Line, Legal & General and Standard Life. On the proviso that investing in the highest yielding stocks can also yield the best share price returns, these stocks have risen to the top of the yield table after mining heavyweights cut their payouts. There are mixed opinions about whether this group of companies might also do the same, with the housing market seen as either overinflated or ripe for further growth due to the UK's chronic house shortage.
Lloyds shares have fallen since the Brexit vote, simultaneously lifting its forecast yield. L&G is a solid operator and has a progressive dividend policy. Marks & Spencer's shares have suffered a terrible year, with new boss Steve Rowe not yet delivering the hoped-for miracle for customers and investors. The shares were 540p a year ago and with the referendum result and tough recent quarterly results accelerating the decline they are hovering at just above 327p and so offer a yield not far off 7%.
Please note: Digital Look provides a round-up of news, tips and information that is impacting share prices and the market. Digital Look cannot take any responsibility for information provided by third parties. This is for your general information only and not intended to be relied upon by users in making an investment decision or any other decision. Please obtain a copy of the relevant publication and carry out your own research before considering acting on any of this information.
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