IN BRIEF: Turnover rises

Turnover on the London Stock Exchange rose strongly in both UK and foreign shares last month, a "healthy improvement in trading activity," the Stock Exchange said yesterday. On the domestic market turnover was 18 per cent higher than in December at £49.4billion, while trading in overseas shares rose 22 per cent to £54.7 billion.

Turnover in US stocks led the way with a rise of 68 per cent, followed by Japanese stocks with an increase of 51 per cent. Trading in Italian and Mexican stocks was up 15 per cent. Although welcome, the improved turnover last month was still well below the buoyant January 1994 level when the market was approaching its peak.