Market Report: Taking Stock

Border Television, one of the smaller of the commercial stations, is thought to be on the verge of increasing its radio operations. Rumour is that it is near to announcing the acquisition of East Midlands Radio, now owned by CLT, the Continental group. The deal is likely to cost around pounds 3m, including Border taking on some pounds 1.5m of debts. Border shares were little changed at 388p.

Grampian, the Scottish conglomerate, edged ahead 1p to 122.5p; there is talk it may sell-off its veterinary and sports operations and concentrate on its knitwear side. The criticised acquisition of Edinburgh Woollen Mills is thought to have exceeded expectations with the market looking for group profits to increase to pounds 13.5m and then move to pounds 23m.