TAKING STOCK

o The sockbroker Teather & Greenwood has acquired a taste for Eldridge Pope, the family-controlled Dorchester-based brewer. Analyst Nigel Popham is looking for profits of pounds 3.5m this year with pounds 4.2m next. The group was the victim of unsuccessful diversification but has recovered since it decided to concentrate on its drink and pub operations. It is, Mr Popham believes, enjoying the results of a switch from community pubs to bigger, higher quality outlets.

o Turnpyke, once rumoured to be in the sights of Ian Gowrie Smith of Medeva fame, gained 1.5p to 23p on talk it had at last fixed up a reverse takeover. Meanwhile Hewitt, a ceramics group, which later won the Medeva man's affections, has taken over Keith Ceramic Materials for pounds 3.25m in shares. They were unchanged at 75p.