Institutional investment down 30%

Motor vehicle production fell in August to its lowest since July last year. Production for the home market dropped by 2 per cent, for export markets by 5 per cent. Comparing the three months ending August with the previous three months, total output was down by 2 per cent, comprising a 2 per cent increase for the domestic market and a 7 per cent fall for export markets.

support from financial institutions led by 3i for pounds 70.3m of which De La Rue will receive pounds 58m in cash and the remainder by way of preference shares in the acquiring company.

Estee Lauder yesterday filed an application with the US Securities and Exchange Commission to float on the New Yokr Stock Exchange through the sale of $335m (pounds pounds 213m) worth of shares to the public.