BIDS for British Energy are due in today but shares lost 2.6 per cent yesterday on reports Iberdrola would only table a bid as a minority partner. Shares in the East Kilbride nuclear operator dropped 2.6 per cent to 715p as the market feared interes
t in the company may be much lower than was expected.
Scotland's oil and gas companies continued to rise on continued record crude oil prices. Aberdeen-based Venture Production rose to a new record closing high, up 11p to 1,790, as did Edinburgh-based Cairn Energy, which rose 9p to 3,342p.
Aim-listed Bowleven, which is based in Edinburgh but owns exploration assets in west Africa, rose to its highest level in more than 2 years, adding 4.2 per cent to 382p.
Weir Group, which provides services for the oil and gas industry, continued a rise which was sparked by Wednesday's bullish trading statement, adding 20.5p to 900.5p.
Optos, the retinal scanning company, continues its rapid recovery. Results are expected to be in line with what the company has forecast , but a string of accolades, strong broker coverage and takeovers of rivals have boosted shares strongly. Yesterday Optos gained 3.9 per cent to 188p. Shares are up more than 60 per cent since January.
The full article contains 229 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
