One member of the team, who will go unnamed, built a healthy stake in HMV back in 2010. The words "I told you so" just don’t quite do it…
With tempers close to boiling point, we decided to ask The Share Centre’s Sheridan Admans (pictured) to comment on the UK companies each of us is backing this ISA season.
Here’s what he thought of our five choices:
Anite
Features editor Jenna Voigt is backing Anite in her ISA this year – a UK-based software company supplier for the wireless and travel industry.
She believes that the FTSE 250 company, which is a favourite with FE Alpha Managers Giles Hargreave and Daniel Nickols, has a wide base to grow and adapt since it is not tied to one provider.
Sheridan’s view: "Anite is working in a sector that is still growing and where the evolution of technology will continue to bring further opportunities."
"It also has a diverse set of customers which is always beneficial in terms of reducing risk."
"The company posted a steady set of results in the last few years with the sales trend forecast set to continue and net margins improving slightly."
"However, investors should be wary of the fact that Anite’s share price has performed very well and now, on a price-to-earnings basis, it is priced higher than its peer group."
Performance of stock vs index over 5yrs
Source: FE Analytics
Anite is held by 11 funds in the IMA unit trust and OEIC universe, which all have a UK small cap focus. These include Marlborough Special Sits and Unicorn Free Spirit.
HSBC
Reporter Thomas McMahon is following the lead of Sanjeev Shah and Hugh Young and upping his exposure to HSBC.
He thinks worries in the UK have unfairly impacted the share price in recent years, given that the bank derives much of its profits from emerging markets.
Sheridan’s view: "The bank is focusing more on its Asian business and is regarded as a little more conservatively managed than others in the sector, with a better balance sheet and deposits."
"It is keen to promote the mix of business and geographical spread and has a three-year plan, which includes cutting significant parts of its US operations, along with some other businesses around the world."
"Although we currently recommend this as a 'hold', preferring Standard Chartered for its greater emerging markets exposure, we would not put longer-term investors off drip-feeding into the stock."
HSBC is held by 353 funds in the IMA unit trust and OEIC universe, making it one of the most popular stocks.
BTG
News editor Josh Ausden likes FTSE 250 pharmaceuticals company BTG. He points to the array of breakthrough drugs on its books and likes the fact that it sits in the traditionally defensive healthcare sector.
Sheridan’s view: "Yes, a healthcare company should be fairly defensive, however I would argue that BTG is still a small company relative to the giants of the sector."
"It also currently pays no dividend and trades at 23-times forward earnings, suggesting the company is very growth-focused."
"The group is making good progress with drug submissions for regulatory approval and the last interim statement was upbeat, with full-year expectations at the upper end of its previous guidance."
"We note the low debt levels as being positive, while the revenues are heavily skewed towards the US."
Among the biggest fans of BTG are star managers Neil Woodford and Mark Martin, who both have a sizeable stake in the business. Only one fund – Standard Life UK Opportunities, holds it in its top-10.
GlaxoSmithKline
Production editor Anthony Luzio says he is happy to play it safe by backing a solid, dividend-paying blue chip company such as Glaxo.
"I want a stock that I don’t have to worry about or sell any time soon, and this one seems to fit the bill," he said.
"It has a good yield which is well covered – I like the idea of compounding over the long-term."
Sheridan’s view: "The defensive nature of the sector and stock, and the competitive yield it pays to investors make GlaxoSmithKline a core holding for many portfolios."
"The hoped-for future improvement should be helped by new products, diversification and increasing exposure to emerging markets."
"It is less prone to generic competition and patent expiration than some other pharmaceuticals and is confident of its late-stage pipeline coming out of its R&D programmes."
GlaxoSmithKline is one of the most popular stocks among UK fund managers – particularly those with an income focus. According to FE data, 70 of the 99 funds in the IMA UK Equity Income sector hold it in their top-10.
William Hill
Reporter – and occasional gambler – Alex Paget likes the long-term case for William Hill. He sees the rise of smartphones and tablets as being a particularly big driver of performance.
Sheridan’s view: "Gambling stocks, such as William Hill, produce some good returns on capital employed and good returns on equity."
"Mobile technology makes these companies more accessible. No longer do you have to walk in to – what some people may have found intimidating – high street bookmakers."
"Bookmakers have also been expanding their services and what they take bets on, appealing to a wider demographic."
"Although Paddy Power has been the runaway success in the sector since 2008, William Hill is a stock we have happily backed in the past. The global appeal of William Hill means they are involved with most major sporting events."
"Also, the recent acquisition of three sports books in the US to form William Hill US offers investors the potential of a great growth opportunity should regulations there be relaxed."
Artemis UK Growth is one of 15 funds that holds William Hill in its top-10.
Are you buying stocks for your ISA this year? Would you like your picks to be analysed by one of the experts at The Share Centre? If so, leave a comment below or email us at editorial@financialexpress.net