Shares: Taking Stock

Ennemix, the little aggregates group, has attracted another industry giant. RMC has emerged as the mystery buyer, picking up 1.1 per cent of the capital at 50p a share through James Capel. It is seeking more stock for "strategic reasons" but has no plans to bid.

Its action follows a 46p agreed offer from French group Lafarge and an unsuccessful bid from Redland earlier this year. With Lafarge and Redland each sitting on 41 per cent of the aggregates tiddler RMC will have difficulty putting together a worthwhile stake

Osborne & Little, the fabrics group, jumped 42p to a 12 month high of 710p. The shares have climbed 80p since it took on the world-wide distribution of Liberty's furnishing fabrics and wallpapers on Friday.