TAKING STOCK

r Panther Securities, the property group, has turned defeat into victory. It lost its bitter battle for control of Elys of Wimbledon but after booking a pounds 775,000 profit on the adventure it is handing a 2p special dividend to its shareholders.

Panther, also paying a 3p dividend (2.7p), was outbid by the unquoted Morley's Stores. Its shares ended off 1.5p at 77.5p.

r A row has erupted at Hansom, the taxi group with the unenviable distinction of being one of the worst performers on AIM.

Its shares fell 4p to a 21p low; they were floated at 60p in September. Rebel shareholders are seeking to replace two directors, including chairman Peter Jennings. Jonathan Mervis, former head of Unigroup, is looking for a boardroom place.