Market Report: Taking Stock

The stock market slump washed over Creightons, a struggling fragrances and toiletries group. Its shares surged 77.5 per cent to 35.5p on the arrival of Barry Dale, former chief executive of Littlewoods, as chairman. He paid 41.07p each for 607,000 shares from former chairman John Carr.

Hercules Property Services is riding at a 275p high. There is talk of a reverse takeover with Whinney Mackay Lewis, a firm of architects, the target. The shares are 28p against 45p three years ago.

Robert H Lowe, the packaging and sportswear group, bumps along near its year's low at 22p. Year's figures next month should top pounds 4m against pounds 2.4m. The group is likely to reap rich rewards from the World Cup.