Sunday share tips: Top picks to consider for 2024

(Sharecast News) - The Sunday Times and Mail on Sunday have offered their top investment tips for 2024, which includes stocks from a variety of sectors such cruises and market research to metals and real estate. Business writers from The Sunday Times each gave their individual choices on what stocks to back. Here are a selection of their best picks.

First up was Oliver Gill who recommended investors take a look at housebuilder Persimmon following a tough year for the sector in 2023. In November, the company reported it was trading in line with forecasts and that build costs were moderating. Meanwhile, it has earmarked £8m to cover the cost of cladding following the Grenfell disaster, which is a lot more than others in the sector. "Whichever way you look at it, this move by the York-based housebuilder could stand it in good stead in 2024," Gill said.

William Turvill has highlighted market research firm YouGov, given the company's political polling services will be in demand amid the "prospect of political turbulence in 2024".

Jill Treanor says professional services group Begbies Traynor is worth a shot, as the company's insolvency services could be much needed with the economic climate set to sour further in the UK next year.

Carnival is another top pick, according to Jon Yeomans, with the cruise-ship operator set to deliver another record-breaking year for revenues in 2024 with customer demand on an upwards trajectory.

Oliver Shah recommends accountancy and business software group Sage despite the stock having already risen 60% in 2023. "My bet, however, is that integrating artificial intelligence into the company's products will put new boosters under the share price. I am hoping for at least 10 per cent from Sage in 2024," Shah said.

Over at the Mail on Sunday, Joanne Hart's Midas column has highlighted four key stocks to take a look at in 2024.

Hart said Empire Metals, the AIM-listed miner based in Western Australia, could surge given it may have discovered one of the biggest titanium deposits in the world.

"Early-stage exploration firms are not for the faint-hearted but adventurous investors should give Empire a go. [...] At 9.3p, Empire shares could go far," Hart said.

Midas also recommends Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services, whose shares have halved over the past two years. Hart said the stock "has been through the mill but at £2.72, the shares should deliver rewards in time. Buy and hold".

Commercial property firm Land Securities is also worth a look, and offers "plenty of upside" after a tough year during which elevated interest rates hit share prices across the real estate sector. "Land Securities has had a tough few years but prospects are much brighter. At £7.05, these shares are a buy," Hart wrote.

Finally, cellular agriculture firm Agronomics could stand to benefit from the booming cultivated meat industry, which could be worth £20bn a year by 2030, the column said. "Agronomics provides investors with a chance to access this market at an early stage and the shares, at 9.5p, are worth a punt."