TAKING STOCK

MARKET REPORT

o South African entrepreneurs Brian Myerson and Julian Treger are thought to have sharply lifted their voting interest in Signet, the struggling jeweller. This week's heavy trading in the shares has resulted in Parcon Managers, said to be related to their UK Active Value Fund, claiming a 17.49 per cent stake.

Earlier this year UK Active failed to win support for Signet, the old Ratners, to be broken up. The next Signet shareholders meeting is due next month.

o Antonov, developing a new form of automatic gearbox designed by Roumen Antonov, arrived on AIM, climbing 5p to 105p. The shares were floated on the 4.2 market at 40p in May when pounds 3.75m was raised. The gearbox is intended for small and medium-sized cars.