City File: Cookson no longer boring

COOKSON used to be the most boring company in the FT-SE 100. But it's not in the FT-SE 100 any more, and it isn't all that boring. Under American chief executive Richard Oster, it has recovered dramatically and its strong marketing is reaping dividends in recessionary times. Nikko Securities reckons pre-tax profits will rise 40 per cent to pounds 102m this year, putting the shares at 211p on a rating of 19times earnings, with further upside expected.