Market Report: Taking Stock

WATCH out for action at Albermarle & Bond, the AIM-listed pawnbroker. Ezcorp International, a Texas-based pawnbroking outfit, has taken a 29.996 per cent stake. Albermarle's management says it has been aware of the company, and is trying to find out what its intentions are. Ezcorp bought most of its shares from long-term shareholder Central Europe Corporation, and is expected to make a statement in the next few weeks. The shares traded up 7p to 51.5p.

THERE are still devoted football fans around. A supporter of Manchester City, the Nationwide League relegation candidates, was issued with 850,000 shares in the club at 88p a share. The proceeds of pounds 748,000 are to help fund player purchases. The supporter remained anonymous, although the club stressed he is "unconnected to any board member or major shareholder." The Ofex-quoted shares dropped 10p to 100p.