Newspaper Tips & Round-Up

LONDON (ShareCast) - FirstGroup (LSE: FGP.L - news) shares were 657p last summer but today they are 370¾p. The stock has been affected by concerns about transport companies in general, concerns about fuel costs and concerns about debt.

But First is in a far better position than most other transport groups, its debt is being paid off steadily and it has long-term financing in place. Public transport is expected to become increasingly popular over the next decade, City analysts forecast steady growth in First-Group's revenue and dividends and many believe the shares are worth nearer 500p. Buy says the Mail on Sunday.

Christmas savings and gift vouchers specialist Park Group (LSE: GB0006710643.L - news) shares are trading at 18½p, providing a yield of nearly eight per cent. The company has no debt, it is investing in future growth and should flourish as more companies use its vouchers and more individual consumers use its website. Buy says the Mail on Sunday.

Trafficmaster (LSE: TFC.L - news) 's consumer services products mainly address the UK market and represent about 35% of turnover and 17% of operating profit. Most of this turnover comes from the Trackstar stolen vehicle services, with the remainder coming from the provision of traffic data and navigation.

This year profits are expected to be flat year on year, with growth returning in 2010. The shares trade on a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.5 this year falling to five next, if brokers' forecasts are to be believed. Andy Brough at fund manager Schroders (LSE: SDR.L - news) is happy to buy them at 32p while accepting that, as with all technology companies, the road ahead might be bumpy at times.

Hill & Smith has significant galvanising operations and products used in building infrastructure such as road signs and barriers. Debt fears mean that the company is trading on a lowly December 2009 earnings multiple of six times, falling to 5.6 in 2010. This really is too low. Buy says the Telegraph.

Emerging markets- focused bank Standard Chartered (LSE: STAN.L - news) said on Thursday that it had seen record income and operating profit before tax in the first five months of this year. However, the bank was cautious on prospects for the rest of the year. But the bank is a long-term strategic play on the development of emerging markets throughout the world. Buy says the Sunday Telegraph.

Construction group Kier has won a series of contracts in the past two months, the latest being with the Ministry of Justice for the construction of Featherstone prison, which is likely to be worth more than £150m. The shares have fallen on concerns about government spending going forward. With the country in a staggering amount of debt, people are questioning where future funding will come from. However, as Kier has demonstrated over the past two months, there are still contracts out there to be won. Trading on a June 2010 earnings multiple of 10.2 and yielding an impressive 5.9%, the shares are a buy says the Sunday Telegraph.

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