Business and City in Brief

More pressure for independent Bank

Further pressure for an independent Bank of England will be made this week by key speakers at a conference to be attended by over 100 central bank governors. The symposium, on Thursday, is hosted by the Bank of England as part of its 300th anniversary celebrations and the political independence of central banks is high on the agenda.

Biocure for USM

Biocure Holdings, a pharmaceuticals firm making healthcare products for diabetics and researching anti-cancer and wound-care drugs, is to join the Unlisted Securities Market early next month. The company will raise pounds 810,000 before expenses. It will use the proceeds for working capital.

Manufacturers blamed

Martin Sorrell, chief executive of the advertising agency WPP, said manufacturers of branded goods had overcharged during the 1980s and had only themselves to blame for increased competition. He also said the advertising industry had failed to adapt to market changes and must undergo a radical reorganisation.

TODAY 6.6.94

Interims: Hoare Govett Smaller Cos Index Inv Trust, Intercare Group, North Atlantic Smaller Companies (Q), Treatt.

Finals: Acal, BAA, Blacks Leisure Group, EFM Income Trust, Emap, London & Metropolitan, Northern Investors Co, TR Property Investment Trust, UK Land.

Economic statistics: Credit business (April), new car registrations (SMMT, May).

TOMORROW 7.6.94

Interims: Apollo Metals, Turkey Trust

Finals: Allied Colloids Group, Amersham International, Anglian Group, Anglian Water, CML Microsystems, Gartmore Value Inv, Great Portland Estates, Ingham, Leigh Interests, Norcros, Penna, Powerscreen Intnl, RPC Group, Staveley Industries, St James's Place Capital, Vodafone Group.

Economic statistics: Advance energy statistics (Apr).

WEDNESDAY 8.6.94

Interims: Blick, Chemring Group, Daily Mail & General Trust, Eldridge Pope & Co, Greencore Group, Greenwich Resources, Thomas French.

Finals: Alphameric, Anglo United, Caffyns, Cape, Deelkraal Gold, Doornfontein Gold, Electrocomponents, Driefontein Consolidated, Gartmore Shared Equity, Hambros, Kloof Gold, Melville Street Investments, Meyer International, Northern Foods, Racal Electronics, Turnpyke Group, John Waddington.

Economic statistics: Index of production (April); Housing starts and completions (April).

THURSDAY 9.6.94

Interims: Chrysalis Group, Dewhurst, GWR Group, Lonrho, Premier Land, Willoughby's Consolidated.

Finals: Bristol Scotts, British Land Co, Chubb Security, Field Group, Johnson Matthey, Lyons Irish Holdings, Martin Shelton Group, Northumbrian Water Group, Osborne & Little, Oxford Instruments, Powergen, Proteus Intl, 600 Group, Scapa Group, Widney Group.

Economic statistics: Employment, unemployment, earnings, prices and other indicators, Regional trends 29 - 1994.

FRIDAY 10.6.94

Interims: Gold Fields Coal.

Finals: Carlisle Group (amd), A Cohen, Ensor Holdings, Park Food Group, Riva Group, Somic Public, Welsh Water.

Economic statistics: Balance of visible trade (Mar) .