Rates up again

Headlines this week said Bank of England will raise interest rate to 4.5% and forecasts higher inflation. Top stock picks are a mix of 87% BUY, 7% HOLD and 6% BUY.

1. HOLD Marshalls

Top interesting stock pick this week is HOLD Marshalls by Berenberg with a tip performance of 14%. Headlines abound on the UK housing market slump: Marshalls shares were down 12% after the latest profit warning.

Marshalls is a building materials manufacturer based in Yorkshire. Founded in 1890, it listed at 68p in 1991, reached an all-time high of 767p in 2020 and is now at 284p. Revenues are down 21% this year.

Berenberg has had a HOLD or BUY rating on Marshalls since its opening rating in 2017. Deutsche Bank, Shore Capital and Berenberg say HOLD and Steve Moore of ShareProphets says AVOID. There are two short positions open on Marshalls. Check out Stockomendation for more info!

2. OUTPERFORM Ashtead

Second interesting top stock pick this week is OUTPERFORM Ashtead Technology by RBC Capital with a tip performance of 4%. Ashtead is an Aberdeen-based subsea equipment rental company that deals in the offshore energy sector.

Ashtead announced a 34% rise in profits in 2022 at a recent announcement RBC upgraded its rating and said it ‘structural long-term beneficiary in the fragmented North American market, with optionality around international expansion.’

RBC first rated Ashtead in November 2022 as OUTPERFORM and raised the target price to 389p from 340p in December of the same year.

Three of three analysts in Stockomendation rate Ashtead as BUY or OUTPERFORM and there are no active short positions open.

3. BUY DotDigital

Third interesting top stock pick this week is BUY DotDigital Group by Royston Wild in The Motley Fool with a tip performance of 3%.

Dot Digital share price reached 283p in 2021 after listing at 9p in 2011. Today at 91p, the London digital marketing platform posted 10% growth at the most recent shareholder announcement in March.

Royston Wild has had a BUY rating on DotDigital since 2020. Four out of four analysts in Stockomendation rate it as BUY and there are no active short positions open.

Image credit Mufid Majnun via Unsplash

Forewarned is forearmed! As always you can see the aggregated, performance monitored and ranked stock tips and picks data in Stockomendation which equips you to make good investing decisions. Check out www.stockomendation.com before your next trade for maximum understanding of your target stock.

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Disclaimer: The contents of this article should not be considered financial advice. Pricing data correct as at 12th May 2023.