Market report: Taking Stock

Spargo Consulting, the computer group, slipped 1p to 304p against a signalled 324p (pounds 41.3m) agreed bid from Computer Horizons, a US group. The yawning gap between market and bid price stems from the ammunition being used for the offer - Nasdaq traded CH shares. A trading facility will be created through BT Alex.Brown which will allow Spargo shareholders to sell their CH shares. Like other IT shares Spargo has enjoyed a strong run. The shares were 108.5p last summer.

AFA Systems jumped 22p to 131.5p following bullish comments from Credit Lyonnais. It suggests the company made a modest profit last year and should hit pounds 1.7m this. The musketeer financial software is the key. Talks are going on with several large banks and there is, say, CL, "a prospect list of 30 customers".

Ceramics group John Tams, which has admitted take over approaches, gained 9p to 34.5p.