Retailers retirement as FTSE rallies on the Egypt relief

Next slipped 63 p at £ 20.00, which makes the sharpest faller and Marks & Spencer decreased 3.6 to 368 p after John Lewis posted only a 1. 2pc rise in sales last week, the retailer is described as "certainly not a big"... but nonetheless positive territory.

This news has caused anxiety consumers curb their spending. John Lewis was not the sole culprit behind decline retailers in. Investors were also concerned by rising prices for cotton - yesterday that they have increased the book measuring 3 4pc to a record $ 1.94.

Simon Irwin, Liberum capital analyst, said that he thought rising input costs could cause a decrease in gross margins basis 150 points to next and it cut its forecast for the benefit of 2011-2012 by 6 3pc 544 million to £.

He was rising prices for cotton, saying they were fortified since the next first warned last August cost increases and increasing labour costs. But he said that then takes a "logical approach" dealing with rising costs, while other major retailers seem to be "sitting on the fence".

John Lewis had an impact on inflation, his presence was felt most strongly from mi-caps where Ocado has 30 to 255 p after the Pension Fund of John Lewis cashed in his 10 4pc set.

As Ocado Faller more pronounced on the second level while the FTSE 250 as a whole rose points 76.17 at 11797.77. FTSE 100 gained 42.89 at 6062.9 points. After spending much of the day to keep away, traders congratulates the President of Egypt withdrew.

Missing side of the rally, however, was Barclays after Arturo de Frias, the evolution of the securities, Banking Analyst reiterated his "sell" evaluation. While he thought that the Merlin project is good news for Barclays, he argued that the Bank could harm to meet a capital requirement level 10pc. Barclays fell 2.15 percent 311.1.

But on a more positive note, Legal & General advanced 3.9 to 122.7% on the back of an optimistic note of Nomura. Analysts suggested that the market is underestimating the potential for asset management arm the insurer.

Elsewhere, Diageo has regained some lost ground, initiating 11% to £ 12.06 after disappointing sales in Europe put Gordon gin manufacturer in the niche earlier this week. Analysts have been optimistic sales slowdown with the Royal Bank of Scotland, keeping their ratings on the Brewer "buy."

They said: "surprisingly poor performance of the Diageo in Europe should not divert strong dynamics elsewhere." Peer the Diageo, sab Miller bubbled up 58½p to £ 21.44 as broker even increased its rating to "buy" from "hold".

Shire ignored news that small-cap Renovo the anti-SCARRING, Juvista, lacked a late trial. County has a licence to sell of Juvista in the United States, the Canada and the Mexico; But investors seemed to fall into the underside of the product with Shire case WINS 24 p to £ 16.95. But it is another story of Renovo, collapsed 51½-17 p.

Professor Mark Ferguson, Renovo CEO, said they were "extremely surprised and disappointed by the failure of Juvista Phase III meet primary and secondary trial endpoints". He added that they would now consider all the options open to maximize value for shareholders.

Renovo disappointment comes just a fortnight after Antisoma announced that its leukemia drug did not test finals, sending its shares in freefall. He started 0.05 to 2.5 p.

Between mid-caps, Gem diamonds sparkling, up 13.1% 296.1 as producer of diamonds, De Beers, returns to profit. But Egypt Centamin took the gold medal, advancing 9-149 p, as investors hoped that political unrest in Egypt can now cease.

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Hope that the United States realizes quite what that disorder is in

The US market has, so far, upgraded its international peers this year. Photo: AP

We can only hope that the factions in the Congress have watched and learned the dithering and brinkmanship on this side of the Atlantic and realize what happens when politicians look like they don't know what they are doing.

Markets hate uncertainty, it is hardly surprising that they have become capricious comedy of wheezing sequence of new to save the eurozone, last week, which resulted in a proposal for French Bank tax emerged from nowhere and disappeared just as quickly. European leaders are what make up that they go along, as Greek bail out package of confirmed Thursday.

It is almost unthinkable that Washington itself by default, would therefore thrashed opportunities must be on some sort of compromise being in-depth next week. The debt ceiling will be high and a kind of long-term deficit reduction plan hatched because they must be. Despite the demonstration of Europe in the way that builds confidence, I would be surprised if the negotiation of horse went to the wire.

Markets are thirsty for clarity and to behave strangely in his absence. One of the curiosities of recent years has been the way in which copper and gold have increased in lock-step since the financial crisis.

The wisdom is that Dr. Copper increased when the situation seems to be light for the world economy, but that gold is the product of choice when panic is the watchword.

As shown in the figure, however, the red and yellow metal can both in favour at the same time if the world economy be confused that it is today. Copper is on a tear, because demand in the emerging world remains strong. The new force is an indication at the beginning of the second half of 2011 that may be good for investors on the back of a landing smoothly in China. However, however, increases because the developed world is flirting with disaster again.

A second curiosity has been the resilience of equity markets for the tragedies unfolding of both sides of the Atlantic. Who would have predicted the market would bounce autour in such a narrow band of the impending implosion of the euro or default by Uncle Sam?

As Citi said last week, Europe's equity markets have doubled and reduced half twice each in the past 10 years.

In the current circumstances, it is moving sideways crab as the particular response. Or is it? Perhaps equity markets merely seek through the cuffs to a fundamental underlying. Despite all the macros and the political risks, the performance of the shares reflects the fact that Europe's sovereign crisis and tax disputes across the pond have not reflected material GDP downgrades or declining profits.

Companies, especially those who have healthy exposure on emerging markets are fairly well. It is early days yet, but in the second quarter earnings season looks as if it will be relatively favourable - Apple and IBM beat expectations, Coca-Cola has been well received, even Morgan Stanley hurt less than feared. Assessments, in addition, provide a solid basis to the levels of today.

The US market has, so far, upgraded its international peers this year. I am not surprised. Then the Chinese are curb inflation, the UK sticking stubbornly to a reader of austerity Plan and the Europeans, inexplicably, increase the rate of interest in the teeth of the existential crisis of the euro area, the United States have become aware that the response is growth. The "Bernanke put" remains in place, therefore suppose that American politicians can avoid doing something really stupid in the next week, the case for us equities still looks convincing.

But Europe also, and perhaps that it is now reasonable to ask what could go right. Course, Summit Thursday did not remove the risk on European markets, but when investors are also concerned that they have recently, relief rallies accompanying unusual demonstrations of a common goal can be painful to miss.

There is even one danger that, after having exhausted all other options, we will do the right thing.

tomrstevenson@fil.com

? Tom Stevenson is a Director of Fidelity International investment. The views expressed are his own. Twitter: @ tomstevenson63

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ICAG nosedives on Air France profit warning

Analysts at Investec initiated with "hold" rating price target on ICAG and 281 p. While the merger is expected to produce 400 m € of synergies between now and 2015, analysts are wary that these earnings were more than offset by the recent increase in fuel prices.

Accordingly, the broker has concerns about short-term than consensus estimates revenues for the airline are "overly optimistic".

ICAG lost around 13pc since last listing of fears about the price of oil increases their tribute. Earlier this month, the airline said it would increase its fuel surcharge on long distance services to account for "substantial continuous increase" of oil prices

But analysts at Investec said: "given the uncertain economic environment, we are cautious on the ability of airlines to retrieve cost increases through fuel supplements."

ICAG is one of slaughterers more marked on a day where the broader market sank into remuneration disappointing Red following such as Diageo.

Manufacturer of gin Gordon, fell by 58 p to £ 11,95 after that first half missed earnings expectations due to weak sales in Greece, the Ireland and Spain debt-hit.

Diageo slide weighed on the benchmark, with the FTSE 100 falling 92.00 points to 6020.01 while the FTSE 250 hangar 75.01 points to 11721.6.

The index was also dragged by miners, with Rio tinto and Randgold resources lose 146 p to £ 48.94 and 110 p to £ 45.49 respectively. Aft swiped it as one more small planned 5 billion $ (£ 3 billion) share buyback disappointed investors.

But at the other end of the spectrum, autonomy in the ascendant. Software company giving impetus was an upgrade of UBS, moved from its position to "buy" from "neutral," target to 18.00 raised its price £ 17 hours £.

No there was no sign yet of acquisition raised many of autonomy. After failing his fall timeout to complete an agreement, autonomy said its fourth-quarter results earlier this month that the proposed acquisition was "delayed due to changes in the property targeted", but the asset was still available.

Although the market seems cynical Outlook for acquiring autonomy, the broker said that there is still a possible catalyst.

"The market appears to be very skeptical that autonomy is going to close a deal and we believe that actions reflect not only any possible accumulation such an agreement could provide," says UBS analysts.

Autonomy achieved p 35 £ 16.07, while his peer, Wise software, also checked up 6.7 percent 293.4 to take top spot.

Offering an accessory for the blue-chips, too, was Smith & Nephew. Manufacturer of artificial hips and knees earned 15-727 p after solid Q4 numbers is displayed. Alongside its results, the manufacturer of the medical device - which was speculation persisted control - centre said its Executive Director, David Illingworth, is set to retire.

It will be replaced by Olivier Bohuon, Executive Director of pharmaceutical group French and cosmetics, Pierre Fabre. Sebastien Jantet, analyst of the Investec kept its rating on S & N "hold." He said the company had given its more robust statement of outlook in recent years, but added: "positive direction is likely to be offset by the decrease in bid speculation."

The pair through reading took its toll on British Airways and Iberia, it had the reverse effect on WPP. Advertising agency won 12 to 824 p like his French counterpart, Publicis, scores of the year arrives ahead of forecasts.

Among the second liners, investors were also pleased by the results of Hargreaves lansdown. Securities broker advanced 23½ to 570 p after showing an increase in first-half profit.

But at the other end of the scale, Aberdeen asset Management slipped 12.3 percent 215.9 after Numis downgraded its rating to "reduce" from "hold" is based on solid performance for the price of the end of the following investment management group.

Insurers were, however, request with Beazley and Catlin checking up to 3.4 p 134,1 and 393.6 8.1% respectively. Stimulate the latter was new that he had seen a decrease in smaller than expected for the benefit of year-round in spite of 218 m $ in the claims of natural disaster after New Zealand and the Chile earthquakes and floods in Australia.

Broker Bullish commentary had an impact elsewhere in the ranking. dairy Crest advanced 5.2 to 380 percent than evolution analysts upgraded their recommendation on milk supplier and manufacturer from the city cathedral cheese "buy" from "neutral" and pointed to consolidation in the sector.

Broker believes that if Dairy Crest shares does step re - rate, and then he "cannot exclude approach taken control by a trade buyer or private capital.

"Theo Mueller has built a 3pc set in society and we believe that Dairy Crest may be a target of credible tender for Mueller milk products company," said analysts.

Some aim stocks, mineral Pathfinder acquired 1,125 to 7½p on his first day of business relationships.

Meanwhile, Sareum falls 0.825 - or 32 04pc - 2.1% after announcing a placement to raise £ 500,000. Biotechnology has seen its rocket actions around 70pc earlier this week after positive results of a preclinical study in the most common form of adult leukemia.

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IMF warns markets "not persuaded" eurozone leaders can resolve the debt crisis and prevent damage to the global economy

The IMF said that despite not "support of the euro Member States and the ECB, market participants remain convinced that a lasting solution is at hand".

"It would be very expensive for the euro area but also for the economy to delay to tackle the crisis of the sovereign,"said Luc Everaert, head of the political area of the IMF European common Euro."

The IMF said that despite not "support of the euro Member States and the ECB, market participants remain convinced that a lasting solution is at hand".

He said in a staff report that the results of any political decision would be "unpredictable" and that the euro-zone needed money more private in support of the "most vulnerable" of his "still-frail banks."

The Fund has recommended that the European financial stability facility (EFSF) have increased in size and allowed to buy debt on the secondary market, as a means to mitigate the threat of contagion of the peripheral States of the euro area.

He also said the indispensable to the adoption of the much stronger economic governance of the euro area. "We need more not less Europe," said Mr. Everaert.

Markets she said Tuesday, and the fears of mounting that politicians cannot resolve the sliding equities sent eurozone debt crisis Monday. The FTSE 100 gained 0. 65pc, the Germany DAX 1. 1pc, France CAC 1. 2pc, the Spain Ibex 1pc and Italy MIB 1. 9pc.

However, traders said the rebound was lowest in the belief that the liquidation were exaggerated and the fear is that jitters on a dangerous rift in Europe, top of the criticism of the euro Thursday the advance on the Greece can trigger falls further.

The Summit should attempt to complete a second round of aid for the Greece, a value of €110bn, but nations are divided on how to structure it and comments of Angela Merkel, German Chancellor Tuesday that the Summit will not be the last step in the resolution of the debt of the Greece crisis did not help sentiment.

The the euro fell against the dollar, after she said in a joint press conference with the President of Russian Dmitry Medvedev: "additional steps will be necessary and not simply a spectacular event that fixes everything." Which takes political responsibility seriously knows that such a dramatic step will not happen. »

To solve the problems of the Greece once and for all, the euro area need to consider options to reduce its debt and increase its competitiveness, said.

"Europe is unthinkable without the euro, and therefore it is worth of effort responsible for really solve the problems in the same root", she said.

Russian President says financial woes of the euro area is not a fault of the euro, but a result he used by countries to the uneven economy.

"The main euro today is a problem that a strong and respectable currency serves the countries with very different levels of the economy, said Medvedev." "It never happened in the history of humanity."

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Why buy whole life insurance for children through seniors?

Most of the chat concerning life assurance, is for a term life insurance product. It is understandable, as temporary cover for large amounts of death benefit is usually cheaper. Why? Now, because of the way of the term life insurance. It runs after a set amount of time or a term. The company assures the politics and only provides cover for people who believe they will survive period are insured. So, if you apply for a long-term policy twenty years, and the company your policy questions, they think you're going this time survive! Of course, this is good news, but that really is the security and use, the you for are? You can find any type of coverage missing themselves, only, when you need it most!

If you are without life insurance, just then, if you are middle-aged or older, you will find policy. Senior life policies to can display with very mild underwriting so that most older people qualify. Life insurance, which are guidelines for anyone, no matter what kind of health can, they are issued in guarantees. These are the permanent to cover just whole life insurance, so that elderly people know that they not be leave their children or grandchildren with high expenses and liabilities, it should pass. Younger people so they can be some whole life insurance, the lifetime coverage certainly can to consider buying. In fact, because children are cheaper to insure as much as parents and grandparents, guidelines for minors buy may!

A life insurance guarantees a wait used instead of the areas of underwriting, problem reporting. Full face use figures generally from the after a period of time, two or three years. If the insured person is way before this time, then all bonuses get back pay the beneficiaries with a set amount of interest. You should purchase only this type of insurance, if not life insurance "direct benefit" is available, but in this case it really is a win-win deal.

Senior life insurance pays a direct benefit from the full benefits immediately, even if the insured person dies three days after the policy is issued! The bonuses are usually cheaper than guaranteed life insurance. Many senior require very few health issues and no medical examination guidelines. In fact, if a person in a nursing home and not have a terminal disease, they can use for an immediate qualify!

Here are some reasons to consider senior whole life insurance:

Funeral costs on average $8,000 in the United States, and some cost more than $15,000. Other costs may include travel, transportation of a body or debt. This is a large Bill to leave children.




Can inherit a property to your usually tax exempt. Life insurance is an affordable way to build a legacy for the children and grandchildren.




Whole life insurance actually builds a cash value, and serves as an asset while is the insured person alive. Many whole life insurance actually against on loan or paid.




Whole life insurance policy rates increase, in contrast to some term life insurance no. If you buy life insurance for five-year-old children, or for an adult you have set a rate 65 years old, they can keep for life!




Cash from a life insurance policy can be used in any way, the beneficiary must not use, and it locks you in business with a particular funeral home.

You have not enough savings to ensure that your final expenditure takes care to be, if you want to leave a property for your children or grandchildren, the traditional approach into account drag: whole life insurance!

Learn about whole life insurance for seniors, and then run a Quick whole life insurance quote without obligation!

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Sugar producer pork prices London IPO Rusagro, Russian

Rusagro has about one-sixth of the sugar of the Russia producing market and has the fifth largest country pork farm.

The company expects to increase of 300 m $ (187 m £) in the initial public offer (IPO) and can be evaluated at up to. 08bn $2 on the list of exhibits. The funds collected will be used to finance projects to grow the business.

GDR is similar to American Depository Receipts (ADRS). A bank certificate issued in more than one country for underlying shares held by a foreign investment bank.

Rusagro has about one-sixth of the sugar of the Russia producing market and owner of the pig farm-fifth of the country. It operates also six food processing plants producing oils and fats, as well as a number of dairy farms.

The float of the company in London should be up to 17 1pc of its fairness. The company planned to list in London last year, but its introduction on the stock exchange was cancelled due to poor market conditions.

Rusagro, founded in 2003, is controlled by billionaire founder of the company and Russian Vadim Moshkovich and its family of 95pc and 5MC belonging to Maxim Basov, the current Chief Executive. It is one of the largest agricultural companies of the Russia.

Mr. Moshkovich started selling apartments, vodka and oil in the 1990s, before investing the profits in agricultural land. He is also a Senator of Council of Federation of Russia.

Alfa Capital Markets, Credit Switzerland and Renaissance Capital will advise on the introduction on the stock market, said Rusagro.

A number of Russian companies is in the registration process in London. Construction standard group company began an introduction on the stock exchange of 300 m to pre-marketing £ institutions of London, last week, and the eighth largest bank of the Russia Nomos, plans to raise 437 m £.

However, a number of Russian groups have abandoned the intellectual property offices in London due to the backdrop of market. KOKS, a pig iron and coking coal producer, closed his introduction on the stock exchange in February, market conditions in the wake of the violence in Egypt. Gold miner North had or wanted to increase approximately 680 m £ in a float of London to pay off the debts of its parent company Severstal, but postponed plans after refusing to reduce its price range.

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Sunday Telegraph share tips for 2011

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Graham Ruddick - Barratt Development

Rowena Mason - Royal Dutch Shell

Rupert Neate - Vodafone

James Hall - Mulberry

Amanda Andrews - Informa

Louise Armitstead - Bowleven

 On December 22 , Petrofac announced the successful completion of the first phase of a multi-billion dollar gas project in Turkmenistan. It is now starting on the second phase, worth $3.4bn. In that one announcement, the oil and gas services company revealed much about its business model and the reasons it is rightly a darling of FTSE 100 investors.

First, it is involved in multi-billion dollar projects with government-backed oil and gas companies. Second, it completes to time and to budget . Third, its contracts are often phased, with one multi-billion dollar deal leading seemlessly into another. To December 24, Petrofac’s share price rose a princely 56pc in 2010. With a series of major deals in the pipeline, increasing demand from the emerging markets for oil and gas developments and oil prices strong and rising, that upward trajectory is sure to continue.

In its latest statement to the markets, Petrofac said it would be on target to match the $416.3m record profits expected by analysts. Its core engineering and construction operations increased revenues by 50pc in the first half of the year and net profits by 40pc. The figures will be very strong again in 2011.

Domestically and across Africa, central Asia and the Middle East, Petrofac is expanding rapidly. Investors should see smart returns for 2011, just as they have from the previous five years.

Annual share tips are usually made on the basis of a journalist rating the company’s management and its strategic vision. This tip is different. For in this case, it is neither.

Granted, Andrew Moss, Aviva’s chief executive, has done much to rationalise the group and bring a number of disparately named companies under the Aviva brand, but as I commented in Rainmaker back in September, he is in danger of treading water.

The problem I have with Aviva’s strategy is that is not punchy enough nor visionary enough to really propel the company’s shares – and it is for that reason that I am recommending them, on a speculative basis.

Aviva’s US strategy has been left wanting, its European push is strong but not life-changing, and its UK arm is solid but offers low growth potential. Although rival Prudential had a tough year in 2010, at least it was a victim of taking major decisions, not sitting on the sidelines.

If ever there was a need for some form of corporate activity – be it disposals or more preferably some form of investor-pressured merger or takeover – Aviva is it. Buy on that basis.

While much of the City was out on its Christmas break, some positive news from gold miner Avocet Mining slipped under the radar. On December 24, the company said it was on track to dispose of its non strategic South East Asian gold assets for $200m (£130m) – more than one third more than analysts expected the mines would be worth. On completion, this will provide the group with substantial firepower to invest in its West African mines.

Avocet’s most important asset is the Inata mine in Burkina Faso, which it bought in a deal in 2009 through the purchase of Wega Mining. It also has a pipeline of exploration projects.

The company said in November it was on track to “meet or exceed” its full-year production guidance of 220,000 ounces of gold, which is reassuring. Should the sale of the Far East assets go through – and there seems no reason why they shouldn’t – the company would have transformed itself from a high-cost Asian gold producer to a lower cost, more focused African play.

Avocet shares are trading on a December 2011 earnings multiple of 13.4 times, falling to 12.1 in 2012. Should the company continue to meet it production targets and have success in its exploration project, the shares should be re-rated to a higher level.

Entering its third year under almost total state ownership, Royal Bank of Scotland is likely to be one of the better- performing banking sector shares this year.

Under the leadership of chief executive Stephen Hester, RBS has effected one of the most radical restructuring plans ever seen, with Mr Hester showing a ruthless hand in selling off businesses once regarded as the bank’s crown jewels. In 2011 it is likely investors will begin to see the upside of the Hester era cutbacks in the shape of a leaner, far more efficient RBS that is starting to look like a business capable of standing on its own.

Like its partially government-owned stablemate Lloyds Banking Group, RBS valuation will to some extent be dependent on the outcome of the Independent Commission on Banking report, due to be published in September. Unlike Lloyds, RBS is likely to escape relatively unscathed, having already sold off several hundred branches to rival Santander, opting perhaps wisely to show it is willing to put through painful cutbacks.

While 2011 will be a difficult year for banks, RBS looks relatively well-positioned to be a good performer and investors would do well to consider it as part of their portfolio.

Housebuilders have suffered a torrid three years on the stock market and the housing market is still stuffed with uncertainty, but Barratt Developments appears to have found a way to make money in the downturn.

Despite house prices being static, its November trading update said average selling prices rose by 9pc year-on-year. The company, Britain’s biggest housebuilder by volume, has focused on targeting areas where it knows there are buyers with equity, therefore building larger family homes and high quality apartments in London. In addition, the company’s bottom-of-the-cycle £750m spending spree on land will also start to boost profit margins, with roughly 14pc of sales in this financial year coming from new sites bought at historic discounts.

Barratt, which has £575m of net debt, is likely to begin refinancing talks early in 2011 ahead of 2012 maturities and expects them to be successful. All this means it is also well positioned when a sustained recovery in the housing market does arrive, which should happen eventually given the supply-demand imbalance in the UK.

High oil prices make for happy oil companies. With most analysts predicting the return of $100 oil in 2011, Royal Dutch Shell is looking like an attractive option. The energy major saw its production rise 5pc in the last quarter following seven years of declining output and a number of new projects are expected to boost this further over the next 12 months.

Its rival, BP, has lost some of its lustre after being hurt by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, although it is now expected to return to dividend payments at a lower level in the first quarter. Shell, which has gone through a few years of radical cost-cutting, is the natural replacement in the income seeker’s portfolio.

Demand for gas is only going to grow as the world moves from reliance on high-carbon coal to lower carbon gas. Furthermore, oversupply is concentrated in the US and less marked in Europe and Asia, which are still paying decent prices for liquefied natural gas supplies.

You cannot tell what disasters may be around the corner for an oil and gas company – take BP’s oil spill that halved its market value. Investing in the oil and gas sector is always risky. But Peter Voser, Shell’s chief executive, appears to have trimmed the company into shape and 2011 may be the year it comes up trumps.

Vodafone will be going places this year. Now that almost all its markets (bar India and Spain) are heading in the right direction, Vittorio Colao, chief executive, will be able to give his full attention to the sale of more of the mobile giant’s disparate minority assets.

Vodafone has already raised £7.4bn from the sale of its stakes in China Mobile and Japan’s SoftBank. Next up are its 44pc stake in French operator SFR and its stake in Poland’s Polkometel, which is expected to fetch £3.4bn.

The real question on investors’ lips will be what’s going to happen to the company’s 45pc stake in US mobile giant Verizon Communications. The stake, which has been valued at £33bn, has been the talk of the town for more than a year already, amid speculation Colao has decided it is time to cash in on Vodafone’s US ambitions.

Although I reckon talk of a sale is overplayed, considerable upside comes from the likely resumption of hefty £3.5bn annual dividend payments this year. Even without this bonus, Vodafone’s shares are yielding an impressive 5.3pc, making it a perfect portfolio filler for anyone looking for a steady income.

Oh, and it’s one of Charles Stanley’s tips of the year too.

Mulberry is a mini-Burberry and is well worth a punt. Shares in the luxury label – which is best known for its handbags – doubled last year, but there is a lot more growth to come. The company recently said Spring/Summer 2011 orders were up by 91pc and that revenues over the first six months of its financial year increased by 38pc to £44.7m. It is about to open new stores in Manchester, Sydney and Amsterdam as well as the flagship store on New Bond Street, London.

Mulberry is a hot brand right now. In December it won the “designer brand” award at the British Fashion Awards. For a clue of how it might perform, look at Burberry. Mulberry’s trajectory is a number of years behind the larger label’s growth pattern – and Burberry’s growth has continued unabated.

Mulberry is expanding quickly into Asia and is taking full advantage of the emerging middle classes there. At present it has 44 shops in the UK and 38 around the world, but by the end of 2011 it will have more stores overseas than it does in the UK.

Hot brands can go cold, but there is no sign of this happening at Mulberry. The company has a steady, small group of large shareholders. Stick some shares in your Tillie bag and watch them soar.

Informa, the business-to-business group, may be a far cry from the glamour and consumer appeal of most UK media stocks. However, the breadth of its businesses, the speed of growth in late 2010 and low exposure to volatile advertising markets, make it a front runner in the unpredictable media sector. There are clear risks.

However, Informa, which owns Datamonitor and Taylor & Francis, has proved to be structurally robust and well placed to deliver growth in 2011. It recently announced good recovery in conferences, double-digit growth in forward bookings at its exhibitions division and improvement at its training arm.

High debt levels have cast a dark shadow over Informa in recent years, but its balance sheet now looks much stronger. Net debt is set to finish the year at 2 to 2.5 times earnings.

A merger with UBM, which came close in June 2008, now seems less likely , but there is still M&A potential. The likely long-term future of Informa is to merge with Springer Science & Media. There are clear risks, as conference attendance and journal subscriptions will be hit in the event of a downturn in 2011. The exhibition business is also weighted towards the first half of the year. However, if the economy is on its side, Informa could prove to be the envy of its more colourful friends in the media sector.

After the horrors of BP’s spill, plenty argue that betting on the oil sector’s continuing ascendancy is a foolish way to spend your money.

But regardless of the green energy lobby, oil companies will continue to boom in 2011 – fuelled not least by relentless development in the emerging markets.

BowLeven soared by 316pc last year on the back of new discoveries in Cameroon, but there’s every reason to bet that the spurt has just begun.

The Aim-listed company has so far drilled the edge, not the centre, of its structures and it’s fully financed to fund multiple wells this year thanks in part to a $113m (£74m) fund-raising at the end of 2010. The company’s focus is West African oil and gas deposits, and the company told shareholders at its recent annual meeting it hopes to be able to book reserves in respect of its Cameroon finds as early as 2012.

Above all, in a sector prone to gushers, BowLeven stands out with its boss Kevin Hart – the former finance director of Cairn Energy – both steady and experienced and able to build on two decades in the energy sector as first banker and company director.

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