TAKING STOCK

o Hard pressed Enviromed, the health care group, has at last produced a modest pick-me-up. US litigation over whether it invented the technology for analysing lead in water has taken an encouraging turn with the burden of proof placed on Enviromed's opponent. With a company associated with a former director, Ron Zwanziger, continuing to build up its stake - it now has 16.1 per cent - the shares rose 4p to 25p. They were floated at 110p in the summer of 1993.

o Barcom, the plant hire group revamped by company doctor Doug Rogers, is bumping along at 35p. It returned to the black this year, making pounds 652,000, and should continue to make sharp progress as it reaps benefits from its takeover of Chepstow, a rival plant hire business.