Nudge Up

Headlines say Stocks to nudge up as oil creeps higher again and all stock picks this week are 76% BUY, 14% HOLD and 10% SELL.

1. BUY Diageo

Top performing stock pick this week is BUY Diageo by Deutsche Bank with a tip performance of 8%.

Diageo is an alcoholic beverage company. Headquartered in London, it owns brands such as Guinness, Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff. Listed in London under the ticker DGE, it is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. Also listed on the New York Stock Exchange as American depositary receipts.

Diageo share price launched at 47p in 1988, rose to an all-time high of 4,015p in 2021 and is today at 1,545p.

On 6th May the company issued its Q3 Trading Statement in this RNS showing a business under pressure in its most important market, with demand for spirits in the US continuing to weaken due to softer consumer spending, inventory overhangs and a portfolio that management admits is not competitive enough, while performance elsewhere appears much stronger but is partly flattered by timing effects such as seasonal events and distributor buying rather than a clear, underlying recovery. Europe, Latin America and Africa are carrying overall momentum, but Asia remains fragile, particularly China, where consumption is constrained by policy and market conditions. As a result, profit resilience is being driven mainly by cost cutting rather than growth, and the company is selling assets to reduce debt and buy flexibility. The unchanged outlook reflects lowered expectations and defensive planning, with Diageo effectively in a holding pattern as it rewrites its strategy to fix structural issues, especially in North America, rather than a business on the cusp of a demand led rebound.

Nevertheless, Deutsche Bank has chosen to reiterate its BUY rating and leave the target price unchanged at 1,650p.

In Stockomendation four other analysts with three different ratings: UBS and Bernstein are NEUTRAL; Barclays has OVERWEIGHT and RBC Capital has OUTPERFORM. Two open UK fund manager short positions, view those here.

2. BUY Volex

Second top performing stock pick this week is BUY Volex by Berenberg with a tip performance of 7%.

Volex is a manufacturer of power and data connectivity solutions such as power cords, connectors, and cable assemblies with customers in data centres, consumer electronics, medical equipment and automotive industries.

Volex share price launched at 414p in 1993, rose to an all-time high of 2,051p in 2020 and is today at 642p.

Berenberg reiterated its BUY rating and upped the target price from 440p to 700p.

Three analysts in Stockomendation: Berenberg and Jefferies with BUY and Canaccord Genuity with HOLD. One open UK fund manager short position, view that here.

3. BUY easyJet

Third top performing stock pick this week is BUY easyJet by Citi with a tip performance of 6%.

easyJet plc is an ultra-low-cost airline and package holiday company. Headquartered in Luton, it operates domestic and international scheduled services. Listed in London under the ticker EZJ, it is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.

easyJet share price launched at 294p in 2000, rose to an all-time high of 1,612p in 2015 and is today at 381p.

In the past few days the airline has announced two new routes: Belfast to London Southend and Bristol to Seville.

However, the share price jump on 6th May occurred due to a number of factors:

1. Easing fears over jet fuel supply and Middle East disruption – hopes of stabilisation in oil supply and refining easing concerns.

2. Broad rally across European airline stocks – part of a sector-wide rebound.

3. Bargain hunting after oversold conditions with shares trading close to 2026 lows.

4. No negative company news on the day.

In Stockomendation five analysts: Citi, Bank of America and UBS say BUY; JP Morgan has UNDERWEIGHT and RBC Capital says OUTPERFORM. Nine open UK fund manager short positions: view those here.

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Disclaimer: The contents of this article should not be considered financial advice. Pricing data correct as at 7th May 2026.