Market Report: Taking Stock

Watch Quality Software Products. Stockbroker Sutherlands has lifted its profits forecast to pounds 2m and put a 400p target on the shares, off 2.5p to 345p. There is also a market suspicion that bid action is near. The shares touched 708p two years ago.

Corporate activity could develop at Future Integrated Telephony, unchanged at 65p. Amin Hemani, creator of the Westcoast computer group, has 3.2 per cent. Now a nominee company has acquired 4.27 per cent. It is said to be acting for parties which do not want Mr Hemani to become too powerful at FIT.

Simon held at 50p. Its reorganisation is complete and the former engineering group, which has had a difficult time, is now concentrating on port and engineering services. Profits of around pounds 12.5m are likely for last year.