Market Report: Taking Stock

The blood shortage is directing attention towards Haemocell, which has developed a blood filtration system that, in effect, does away with the need for many blood transfusions.

The struggling healthcare group, up 0.25p to 3.5p, has had a wounding time, running into financial difficulties and hit by a series of marketing problems. Three years ago the shares were 182p. Haemocell believes it needs a little help to grow. It is involved in talks which could lead to a reverse takeover.

John Lusty, the acquisitive niche food group, continues to seek acquisitions and is likely to clinch a deal soon. Interim profits rose 159 per cent to pounds 609,000 and year's profits should be around pounds 1.9m against pounds 753,000. The shares edged ahead 0.25p to 9p.