Business and City Summary

DEADLINE SET FOR ALUMINIUM ACCORD

The largest aluminium-producing nations were given until midnight on 28 January to accept or reject a European Union plan to cut over-capacity by 1.5 million to 2 million tonnes after a four- day meeting in Brussels failed to produce agreement.

MARS LOTTERY BID

Mars Confectionery is to join Richard Branson and Lord Young in their bid for the national lottery. Mars will look after the distribution and sales policy for the consortium, which intends to give the profits from the lottery to charity.

MARKET DEBUT

Market Analysis and Information Database, an information services company, is to seek a full listing on the London Stock Exchange this spring, valuing the business at pounds 100m.

ISRAEL FUND

Societe Generale Strauss Turnbull is to launch a fund for investment in Israeli and Israel- linked companies. SGST estimates that the fund would be able to raise pounds 100m of equity capital.

PIT RESCUE

Clipstone Colliery in Nottinghamshire will re-open this week under the stewardship of RJB Mining, which will operate the mine under licence from British Coal. The colliery will employ about 200 people initially, recruited mainly from the former workforce.

TODAY: 24.1.94

Confederation of British Industry quarterly trends.

Interims: Excalibur Group, GT Japan Investment Trust, John Menzies, Mitie Group.

Finals: GWR Group.

TOMORROW: 25.1.94

Interims: Cantors, Clayhithe, Fleming Emerging Markets Investment Trust, HJ Joel Gold Mining (Q), Menvier-Swain Group, Murray Smaller Markets, Randfontein Estates Gold (Q), Scottish National Trust (div), Western Areas Gold (Q).

Finals: Domino Printing, Ivory & Sime ISIS Trust, Lonrho, M&G Dual Trust, Shandwick, Willoughby's Consolidated.

WEDNESDAY: 26.1.94

Interims: Govett American Smaller, Murray Split Capital Trust, WH Smith Group, Stavert Zigomala.

Finals: Bullough.

THURSDAY: 27.1.94

Interims: Coal Investments, Danka Business Systems (Q3), Investors Capital Trust (Q1), MFI Furniture, Misys, Prism Leisure Corp.

Finals: Derby Trust, Govett Emerging Markets, Gresham Telecomputing, Partridge Fine Arts, Warner Estate Holdings, Witan Investment Co.

FRIDAY: 28.1.94

Non-EU trade figures for December.

Interims: CH Bailey, Birkdale Group, Brandon Hire, Cathay International Holdings, Cupid, Goodhead Group, Harmony Property, SelecTV, TR Far East Income Trust (div), Wholesale Fittings.

Finals: Allied Textile Companies, First Philippine Investment Trust, Greenfriar Investment Co.