Long-term buy.MICHAEL PAGE Companies are hiring again, which is good news for Michael Page International, the recruitment company that has reported a big rebound. But this week's interim figures were mixed, with disappointments on some projects in the US, and the shares fell - not helped by a warning about the outlook for rail infrastructure in the UK and Germany Even so, a dividend rise should add to confidence. It already has £7.4bn of work in the pipeline, with two big, new schools and a £521m hospital in Birmingham among those coming through this year. Too many firms have come to grief with cost overruns on such grand projects. Instead, Balfour Beatty will target work on road widening and rail projects as the Games galvanise plans for improvements to the capital's transport infrastructure.The opportunities for work in the UK stretch as far as Balfour Beatty can see. The company is one of the UK's most respected construction and civil engineering companies, and can be expected to benefit in the run-up to 2012. Don't expect the company to get heavily involved in the building of the Olympic venues. Thirty franchises are now in place and it is continuing to expand.cash independent.co.uk.
BALFOUR BEATTY In the minutes after London won the Olympics last month, Balfour Beatty shares jumped 5 per cent. They have had a good run and it is not surprising that some of the group's early supporters have locked in some of their profits.It seems that the company is trading well. It seems that most of the £500,000 was subscribed by City institutions, taking up shares at 12.5p They clearly recognise My Home's potential. The shares have slipped from the 15.5p I paid last month but I am not worried. It is looking to increase its range of services and hinted, when raising £500,000, that it has takeovers on its agenda.The Ofex-traded company provided a shot-in-the-arm for the fringe share market which has been largely ignored by City fund managers.
His prediction could soon be fulfilled although the terms may not be attractive.My Home International, the portfolio's newest recruit, may be about to hit the takeover trail although Landround would not be on its radar screen For one thing the promotions group is in the wrong industry My Home offers a household cleaning service. A couple of years ago the then chairman, Michael Crompton, told me the group might need a powerful partner He forecast Landround would be taken over by a bigger group. Elsewhere in the industry some acute problems have been created. However, I should have thought offers which fail to deliver are self-defeating for all the companies involved. Certainly the customer cannot be impressed.So what is the future for Landround? Following the latest debacle the company is conducting a review of its business.
