Public Finances

Headlines say Rachel Reeves braced for huge hole in UK public finances after productivity downgrade and all stock picks this week 82% BUY, 8% HOLD and 10% SELL.

1. BUY Avacta Group

Top stock pick this week is BUY Avacta Group by Peel Hunt with a tip performance of 14%.

Avacta Group plc is a UK life sciences company developing targeted cancer therapies using its proprietary preCISION technology platform, which releases cancer-fighting drugs directly into tumors to reduce side effects

Avacta share price launched at 5,448p in 2003, its all-time high, and is now at 64p.

On 30th September the company issued its half-year results in this RNS stating positive R&D results: the share price rose as a result.

In Stockomendation Peel Hunt is the only analyst with BU; Tom Winnifrith and Lucien Myers have SELL and Deutsche Bank says HOLD. Peel Hunt was appointed by Avacta Group as joint broker in 2023 and joint bookrunner and joint broker in February 2024. One open UK fund manager short position, view that here.

2. BUY Ceres Power

Second top performing stock pick is BUY Ceres Power Holdings by Jefferies with a tip performance of 10%.

Ceres Power Holdings plc is a UK clean energy company. It developed solid oxide electrolyzer cell and solid oxide fuel cell technology for use in distributed power systems. Founded in 2001, it is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker CWR.

Ceres Power share price launched at 909p in 2004, rose to an all-time high of 2,612p in 2007 and is today at 171p.

On 2nd October Bosch sold its remaining stake in the company causing shares to rise as it had announced its exit earlier in the year, and shareholders viewed its continued stake as overhang.

Three out of four Stockomendation analysts say BUY they are Goldman Sachs, Jefferies and Berenberg whilst Ben McPoland has WATCH. In Stockomendation five open UK fund manager short positions, view those here.

3. BUY Next 15

Third top performing stock this week is BUY Next 15 Group by Berenberg with a tip performance of 9%.

Next 15 Group plc is a London B2B tech marketing agency. Founded in 1981, it is listed on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market under the ticker symbol NFG.

Next 15 share price launched at 204p in 1999, rose to an all-time high of 1,396p in 2022 and is today at 343p.

On 30th September the company issued its half-year trading results in this RNS stating decreased revenues and slight margin increases. In August it shut down its Silicon Valley growth consultancy due to serious misconduct of top executives.

In Stockomendatino two out of three analysts say BUY they are Berenberg and Peel Hunt; Steve Moore has AVOID. Two open UK fund manager short positions, view that here.

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Disclaimer: The contents of this article should not be considered financial advice. Pricing data correct as at 3rd October 2025.