TAKING STOCK

Energy Capital Investments, trading at 99p, is set to lift profits and dividends, believes Greig Middleton, the stockbroker. It expects profits this year of pounds 1.25m with a 3p dividend and nearly pounds 3m in 1997 with a 6.5p payout. The company invests in US oil and gas projects without the trouble of managing them. It has invested in 13 developments, selling two at a pounds 3.7m profit.

Stentor, a start-up telephone business based in Dublin, is heading for AIM. It intends to take advantage of the deregulation of the telephone network in Eire. The shares should start trading within a few weeks.

Chelsea Village rose 2p to 60p. The controlling shareholder has sold around 5.5 million shares at up to 58p since Monday.