Shares: Taking Stock

Inoco, once an oil business and now a property operation, could soon disappear from the stock market.

Chairman and controlling shareholder David Rowland, who was something of a whizz-kid in the 1960s, is thought to be thinking of making an offer to the minority shareholders. The shares added 2p to 13.5p.

World Fluids, which has had a depressing run, could soon get a much needed lift. The Irish company, little more than a shell, is hoping to acquire Peterhead Crane Co, a crane hire operation, and International Cranes & Equipment, a plant trading company. Peterhead, under chief executive Roger Taylor, has become a powerful force in the crane hire and off-shore oil services in North East Scotland. World Fluid shares are 5.25p.