Shares: Taking Stock

Emerald Energy, the Colombian oil play, added 0.75p to 7.25p as stockbroker Teather & Greenwood said the shares, as speculative investments go, are "matched by few alternatives". But analyst James Glancy, who sees a pounds 2.5m profit in the 12 months ending September next year, stressed Emerald is not for the faint hearted.

Rank, the leisure group, is showing analysts its famous Butlin's holiday centre at Skegness tomorrow. The market is intrigued by suggestions they should dress down for the occasion - suits are out but jeans and T-shirts are in.

Warner Howard, the business support group, fell 6.5p to 183.5p. Ten per cent of its capital changed hands last week with Aberforth Partners and Legal & General increasing their shareholdings. John McCready at stockbroker Marshall forecast profits of pounds 8.1m this year.