We took the first tentative steps towards rebuilding our share portfolios on Wednesday amid signs the stock market is beginning to stabilise after its recent battering.

In total we splashed out £5000 from our notional cash reserves with five new investments to replace some of those lost through disposals over the past few weeks. This left us with £18,000 as a safety net against another downwards lurch in the FTSE 100 share index.

Two of the new recommendations have joined our lacklustre 2014 portfolio which slipped into overall losses for the first time last week.

Belhaven Brewery drinks group Greene King has underperformed for much of the past year as a result of the slowdown in consumer spending, but could enjoy a re-rating through its planned acquisition of Spirit Group which opens up new avenues for its drinks portfolio.

In contrast, logistics group Wincanton has seen its shares hit new peaks ahead of a trading update on November 5, but could have further to go as falling fuel prices and an improved balance sheet bring forward the timing of its return to the dividend list.

Global advertising giant WPP has languished in our 2013 portfolio, but it could be a bargain at current lower prices and we have added it to the 2012 selections in hope of a boost from the strengthening US economy.

Similarly, Saga proved a disappointment when we bought shares on its flotation but now looks an altogether better investment after a 17% fall in the share price and we have taken a fresh punt on the shares for the 2011 portfolio.

AstraZeneca is at last showing signs of recovering from disappointment over a failed takeover and we have added the shares to the 2013 list in belief that fellow investors are still underestimating the strength of its drugs pipeline, along with the impact of a stronger dollar.