Fresh Hopes

Headlines say London stocks gain on fresh hopes for Hormuz and all stock picks this week are 68% BUY, 21% HOLD and 11% SELL.

1. OUTPERFORM Oxford Nanopore Technologies

Top performing stock pick this week is OUTPERFORM Oxford Nanopore Technologies by RBC Capital with a tip performance of 6%.

Oxford Nanopore Technologies develops and sells nanopore sequencing products for DNA and molecule analysis. Listed in London under the ticker ONT, it is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.

Oxford Nanopore Technologies share price listed in London at 615p in October 2021, rose to its' all-time high of 710p two months later and is today at 139p.

Oxford Nanopore’s London Calling update announced in this RNS highlighted steady platform progress with improved accuracy and speed, higher output, expanded capability, increasing AI integration and steps toward regulated-market adoption, alongside longer term upside potential from protein sequencing. The update signals stronger near term utilisation through improved performance and workflows, as well as longer term growth optionality, giving investors confidence in both adoption and the scalability of revenues.

In Stockomendation four analysts: Berenberg and Deutsche Bank say BUY; RBC Capital says OUTPERFORM and Barclays has OVERWEIGHT.

2. UNDERWEIGHT Conduit Holdings

Second top performing stock pick this week is UNDERWEIGHT Conduit Holdings Limited by Barclays with a tip performance of 5%.

Conduit Holdings is a Bermuda-based multi-line reinsurance business that provides global treaty reinsurance products through its subsidiary, Conduit Reinsurance Limited. Headquartered in Pembroke, Bermuda, the holding company is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker CRE.

Conduit Holdings share price launched at 508p in 2020, rose to an all-time high of 546p five months later and is today at 453p.

On 19th May Conduit stock was trading near a 52-week high. On 26th May the company announced a $50m share buyback programme in this RNS. Despite this normally being viewed positively by investors, the share price fell, which appeared consistent with profit-taking after a strong run rather than any negative operational news. In addition, Conduit had already issued its Q1 update on 13th May in this RNS reporting premium growth in a softening reinsurance market. While trading remained solid, the softer market backdrop may have capped expectations for further upside.

In Stockomendation four analysts: Berenberg and Jefferies say BUY; Barclays has UNDERWEIGHT and RBC Capital says SECTOR PERFORM. There are no open UK fund manager short positions.

3. BUY easyJet

Third top performing stock pick this week is BUY easyJet by UBS with a tip performance of 4%.

easyJet is a British ultra-low-cost airline and package holiday company. 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 1,564p in 2015 and is today at 386p.

On 21st May the company issued its’ half year report in this RNS stating strong underlying demand but higher costs, with revenue rising due to passenger growth and improved load factors, while the group reported a wider headline pre-tax loss largely driven by higher fuel costs and certain one-off items.

Shares rose because the results were broadly in line with prior guidance and showed clear positives beneath the headline loss, notably solid revenue growth, improving aircraft utilisation, strong profitability in the holidays business and robust balance sheet strength. This combination reassured investors that easyJet is navigating short term pressures such as fuel costs and geopolitical uncertainty while still delivering operational progress and medium-term growth.

In Stockomendation four analysts: UBS and Bank of America have BUY; Bernstein has MARKET PERFORM and RBC Capital has OUTPERFORM. Six 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 28th May 2026.