Market report: Taking Stock

Transport Development is attracting attention. The shares improved a further 2.5p to 203.5p, just below their 12-month high. They have gently recovered from the 162.5p low hit in August on disappointment with interim figures. There is talk of a second-half improvement and the inevitable bid speculation is around.

Utilitec, a gas and water services group in the red last year, should produce profits of pounds 3.65m this year and pounds 5.2m next, believes Charterhouse Tilney. The shares, which have moved between 100p and 36.5p since March, fell 1p to 43.5p.

Boustead, the cash shell, is due to return to market later this month following its takeover of a Hong Kong construction group. The shares were last traded at 16p.