Market Report: Taking Stock

A policy change at a leading private client stockbroker hit some market favourites. The firm decided to restrict T-25 trades, in particular clamping down on long-running roll-overs. Its action prompted forced selling of some of the favourite punting stocks, such as BTG, off 17.5p at 675.5p, Jarvis (11.5p at 337.5p) and Shield Diagnostic (32.5p at 700p).

Shield has results tomorrow. It is suspected it will accompany its figures with developments about the commercialisation of its heart disease detection method and, possibly, that US group Abbot is taking a stake.

Key 2, publishing CD Rom training products, is the latest Ofex hot stock. Placed at 20p three weeks ago, the shares have topped 60p, although they fell 3p to 57.5p yesterday.