Market Report: Taking Stock

Emerald Energy, seeking oil in Colombia, lost a further 0.5p to 6.75p. The shares have fallen from 10p last month. Chairman Iain Alexander has admitted the Chawina-2 well in Colombia has encountered further delays. But he said: "These are no more than drilling problems. There is nothing seriously wrong". The shares have suffered from the lack of progress in Colombia and Lasmo's intention, announced last week, to sell its Colombian operations because its discoveries there have not been big enough.

Rage Software, after an unhappy run, is gathering strength. The shares rose 1p to 7.25p, a far cry from their 25p peak but more than double the low hit in June. The company is concentrating on computer games. There are high hopes that one, called Incoming, could be worth approaching pounds 1m this year and there is market talk another game is about to materialise.