BEST AND WORST PERFORMING SECTORS

The Best performing sector this week was the electrical and electronic sector which rose 9.7 per cent. This was led largely by the gains in GEC, the bellwether of the sector, which rose on takeover speculation. Brokers are also positive on the outlook for Siebe.

The second best performing sector was tobacco, which gained 8.4 per cent. BAT rose by 8.5 per cent as the negotiators for the tobacco industry and its opponents in the US moved closer to a landmark settlement of litigation claims. The deal is regarded as very positive for the industry.

The Worst performing sector in the industry this week was water, which fell 2.68 per cent. Severn Trent and Hyder announced annual results for 1996. Severn's profits showed an unremarkable 4 per cent rise. Hyder's profits were more impressive but the company was cautious on the outlook for dividend growth in future years.

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