Shares digital

Hornby (HRN) 202p

Model railway and Scalextric fans ensured hobby firm Hornby reported a strong finish to 2007 trading. The group reported ‘significant growth’ in its UK market in the run-up to Christmas. (Read the full story: www.sharesmagazine.com/node/3039)

Shares says: Very good brands and interesting new product development programme. Models produced overseas keeps costs under control. Well managed. Long-term BUY

Telegraph says: Frank Martin, Hornby’s chief executive, said Christmas came ‘incredibly late’ but a last-minute rush had helped drive sales, with the strong performance continuing into the new year.

The Times says: Hornby has been hit by a problem all too familiar with real-life train operators – delays. The company said that a slowdown in product development had put the brakes on sales in Europe, where Hornby has bought a number of businesses.

The City - says: We remain nervous about consumer spending and while we believe that expenditure on model railways is likely to be resilient, we are more nervous of slot car racing and Airfix/Humbrol.