Market Report: Taking Stock

Heavy trading, including an agency cross of 850,000 shares, in Burn Stewart, a struggling Scotch whisky group. For months there has been speculation it could provide the "cask" for the stock market flotation of William Grant & Sons, the unquoted group which has led the industry's lucrative malt whisky charge. Burn Stewart, which has produced another set of disappointing figures, held at 45p. The shares were floated at 140p six years ago.

Carbo is on the verge of selling its foundry at Chesterfield; it could collect around pounds 2m. Since the group started a revamping exercise four years ago it has raised pounds 18.6m. The shares held at 28p.

Whispers of action at acquisitive Regal Hotels; the shares rose 1p to 44.5p.