LONDON (ShareCast) - The problem for Carpetright, which the boss himself acknowledges, is that the macro situation is awful.

However, investors might not give up entirely on the group. There is a body of opinion that suggests that in a downturn, people improve their existing houses rather than move. Chairman Lord Harris believes the group will bounce back as soon as economic health returns, in about 12 to 18 months. Until then, sell says the Independent.

Irn-Bru maker AG Barr's interim results showed a 9.8% hike in pre-tax profits to £11.1m, while the company has also been able to keep its margin in check, despite ever increasing input costs. Barr has a good track record but in current condistions investors need to be cautious. Hold says the Independent.

Bad news is like London buses, with lots of it seemingly coming all at once for Et-China, a travel company that specialises in providing flights, hotels and tours in southern China. Et-China, though, is a strong player in what is a market that has the potential to boom. Buyers should be cautious, but with the stock falling a massive 23% yesterday, now might just be the time to buy. Buy says the Independent.

There must be days when Tate & Lyle's management wish they had never heard the phrase "Splenda sucralose". Tate's management had expected a positive reception in the US to claims that Chinese manufacturers were infringing its Splenda patents, not the reverse. The outcome of corn syrup price negotiations – due later in the autumn – remains up in the air, while the reform of the European sugar regime produces a similar lack of clarity. Avoid says the Telegraph.

Harbinger Capital has built a 19% stake in Tate and it is not too fanciful to assume that the US hedge fund might add to its holding or push for consolidation – perhaps through a merger of Tate with Bunge, of the United States, where it is also a shareholder. At less than ten times current-year earnings and yielding nearly 7%, it is time to buy back in says the Times.

Assuming full-year rooms growth of 6% and revpar growth of 2%, Intercontinental Hotels should report headline growth of 8% this year – pretty good in such a poor year. It could be different in 2009. The hotel industry usually trails the wider economy and while IHG’s long-term prospects look excellent, short-term turmoil means that the shares, on 12 times 2008 earnings, should not be disturbed says the Times.

JD Sports shares bounced 9 per cent yesterday, but are trading at little more than four times forecast 2009 earnings. That seems far too cheap, especially given that JD is set to make £47 million in the current financial year – what many analysts had pencilled in for 2010. Hold on says the Times.

Helphire has enjoyed a phenomenal rate of growth in recent years. The group, which supplies rental cars to those involved in road accidents, has seen turnover jump fourfold from £100m over the past few years. But the company accepts it is still failing to settle claims as quickly as it wants and its capital requirement is growing as a result. Helphire seems some distance away from putting a troubled past in the rear view mirror. Avoid says the Telegraph.

Pub owner Mitchells and Butlers' statement yesterday is unlikely to result in any major changes to forecasts, but the shares still tumbled 6%. At those levels the stock trades on a forward multiple of 8.6 times earnings, which is still a slight premium to the sector. Given its strong estate portfolio, that is probably about right. Hold says the Telegraph.









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