Market Report: Taking Stock

Robert Stephen Holdings, which holds most of the Rubin family's controlling stake in Pentland, has moved in on property shell Delyn. It has acquired the stake held by American James Terlizzi and now has 25.04 per cent. Merchant bank Dawnay Day has lifted its interest to 26.73 per cent. Delyn, which fought off a hostile bid last year, has more than pounds 7m in cash. Its shares rose 1p to 117.5p.

Engineer Clyde Blowers has undertaken its first US investment presentations. Profits of around pounds 5.8m against pounds 1.1m are expected this year. The shares held at 251p.

Textile group Leslie Wise gained 2.5p to 14p on a bid approach. One suggestion is Joe Bloggs, the jean maker, is interested.

Ofex high-flyer Energiser, a dietary group, has paid pounds 1.3m in shares for Reductogen, a drug business. Its shares rose 15p to 215p.