Taking Stock

rEldridge Pope, the family-controlled brewery, has still to win stock market recognition as a pub retailer. Panmure Gordon says: "EP has won its spurs as a retailer and this is where its future lies." The stockbroker forecasts profits of pounds 5.25m this year and pounds 6.1m next. The shares are 290p.

rPrelude is a rare stock market creature - an investment trust which has won a rapturous welcome. The shares were placed at 100p last week - they rose 18p to 123.5p; the warrants, one given away with each five shares, gained 10.5p to 44p. The trust specialises in hi-tech and bio- tech shares.

rShares of Cash Converters International, a second-hand goods group, will be listed in its native Australia tomorrow which could help sentiment. The London price is 23.5p.