Festive Threats

Headlines say OECD warns Reeves higher taxes and spending restraint will limit consumer expenditure and all stock picks this week 80% BUY, 9% HOLD and 11% SELL.

1. BUY Ariana Resources

Top stock pick this week is BUY Ariana Resources by Tom Winnifrith and Steve Moore in ShareProphets with a tip performance of 6%.

Ariana Resources is a United Kingdom-based mineral exploration and development company focused on gold and technology metals, with interests in gold production in Turkey and development projects in Zimbabwe and Kosovo.

Its key projects include the Kiziltepe and Tavsan gold-silver mines in Turkey, the Dokwe gold project in Zimbabwe, and copper-gold exploration in Cyprus and Kosovo. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker AAU.

Ariana Resources share price launched at 13p in 2005, reached an all-time high of 17p in 2006 and is today at 2p.

On 27th November the company issued an announcement in this RNS that it had completed a drilling program at Kizilcukur in Turkey, identifying potential extensions to satellite production for the Kiziltepe Gold-Silver Mine.

In his article Winnifrith is positive about the results.

In Stockomendation two analysts Steve Moore of Shareprophets and Tom Winnifrith of Shareprophets both with BUY. There are no active short positions open.

2. OVERWEIGHT Marstons

Second top performing stock pick is OVERWEIGHT Marston's by JP Morgan with a tip performance of 6%.

Marston's PLC is a British pub operator that runs a national estate of over 1,300 pubs, bars, and inns. Founded in 1834, it has expanded from its brewing roots to include a hotel business and operates pubs under various models, including managed, partnership, and tenanted/leased pubs. Its headquarters are in Wolverhampton, and it is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Marstons share price launched at 106p in 1993, rose to an all-time high of 343p in 2007 and is today at 62p.

On 25th November the company issued its preliminary results in this RNS stating a strong year with significant profit growth and margin expansion as well as a positive outlook for FY2026 with strong Christmas bookings and plans to accelerate format roll-outs.

JP Morgan reiterated its OVERWEIGHT rating on the stock and upped its target price from 78p to 85p.

Four analysts in Stockomendation three with BUY they are Peel Hunt, Panmure Gordon and Shore Capital; JP Morgan has OVERWEIGHT. There are no active UK fund manager short positions open.

3. BUY Robert Walters

Third top performing stock this week is BUY Robert Walters by Deutsche Bank with a tip performance of 4%.

Robert Walters is a British recruitment company founded in 1985 that provides professional recruitment, recruitment outsourcing, and talent advisory services. Listed in London under the ticker RWA, it is headquartered in London and has clients in 30 countries. The company's services include permanent and temporary recruitment, interim management, recruitment process outsourcing and workforce solutions.

Robert Walters share price launched at 190p in 2000, rose to an all-time high of 850p in 2021 and is today at 152p.

Deutsche Bank reiterated its’ BUY rating and decreased the target price from 280p to 250p. The company has delivered negative results for four quarters in a row and has suffered more than 60% drop in value over the past year.

In Stockomondation one other analyst Steve Moore with AVOID. There are no active short positions open.

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Disclaimer: The contents of this article should not be considered financial advice. Pricing data correct as at 5th December 2025.