Tuesday newspaper share tips: Taylor Wimpey a strong house to invest in

12th Jan 2016 10:40

(ShareCast News) - A strong housing market has led The Times' Tempus to rate Taylor Wimpey at 'buy long term'. In a trading statement released on Monday, the FTSE 100 housebuilder said 2015 was a year of steady growth, and has indicated it is starting the new year with a strong order book.It reported total home completions in the UK for the year to 31 December 2015 increased by 7% to 13,341, including 2,509 affordable homes.The average selling price on private completions increased by 9% to £254,000 after the company said it focused on better quality locations.With a strong order book in place for 2016 as well as its strategy focused on long term delivery and sustainability and housing still high on the political agenda, Taylor Wimpey said it expects to see more progress this year against its medium term targets.Tempus said that when it comes to the housebuilding sector, there's always the question about when and how it could all come crashing down.While it noted that the cost of labour and subcontractors can be an issue, the company said the industry is coping well enough.Tempus highlighted that a prolonged rise in interest rates could have an effect, but this is unlikely in the near future."Mortgage availability is as high as ever, as more lenders enter the market. The government's autumn statement promised more support for the first-time buyer, even if there is as yet no detail. This can only be favourable for the sector."With no sign the boom will end any time soon and the possibility of another special dividend in the summer, the column suggested investors 'buy long term'.Over in The Telegraph, Questor kept a close eye on Brewin Dolphin Holdings after it announced a management reshuffle last Friday.The FTSE 250 company's Head of Investment Management Stephen Ford left the company on Friday as it expanded its executive committee, ending his 16-year career with the group.The company said in a statement that "it has been agreed" that he will leave the company and step down from the board with immediate effect.It said move is part of a strategy announced in September "to promote further organic growth in funds under management through both the direct and agent channels".Questor noted that the company is looking for ways to boost asset growth, after losing the ability to receive a commission for putting clients into investments.On top of that, it had already lost two investment managers to a rival last year, as well as selling its share dealing platform in May.But Questor said the company is making progress."Adjused pre-tax profits increased by 7pc to £62m when it reported full-year results last month. Discretionary assets under management increased by 3pc to £24.8bn. Overall the decline in advisory assets outweighed the new funds, leaving total funds under management down £0.5bn to £32bn."With its exposure to a market selloff and despite a possible takeover approach, Questor rated the company at 'hold'.