Market Report: Taking Stock

Simon Engineering rose 2p to 45.5p as stories resurfaced that acquisitive Rutland Trust would bid. Last month Simon admitted it had held co-operation talks with Rutland which has Thamesport, the deep water container port in the Thames Estuary. A cash and shares bid could come in around 55p.

Commonwealth Gold, with interests in Botswana, Liberia, New Zealand and Zimbabwe, arrived on Ofex through an introduction. The shares opened at 40p, closing at 35p, pricing the company at pounds 84m. Amalia, a South African group, has 35 per cent. Comgold raised pounds 17m and will seek more cash later.

The spring sunshine has lifted compost sales of William Sinclair by 35 per cent; the shares flowered 7p to 227.5p.