Compass, tip for the top
SHARES in Compass Group are set to become more attractive, with the company tipped to move into the FTSE Top 100 at the end of March. Coupled with a fairly positive trading statement at its AGM last week, this hiked up shares by 5.34%.
Meanwhile, speculation over the future of the Inter-Continental hotel chain was resurrected. Ladbroke, which is understood to be sizing up the group, saw its shares gain 7.64%. Talk of cash-rich Bass as a possible stronger contender boosted Bass shares by 9.23%. But with no confirmation from Inter-Continental that it is for sale, the City has not ruled out a flotation.
Shares in Harry Ramsden's, which posted a 14% increase in full-year pre-tax profits last week, climbed 9.85%. The group is to open six restaurants this year.
Rank's shares dropped a further 2.44% as differences of opinion over company strategy led to the resignation of John Garret, head of its leisure division.
share price (pence)
Value at Value at % change
31/1/98 24/1/98
Alpha Airports 75 75 0.00
Arcadian International 60 60 0.00
Bass 970 888 +9.23
Break for the Border 52.5 52 +0.96
City Centre Restaurants 111.5 112.5 -0.89
Cliveden 55.5 60 -7.50
Compass 828 786 +5.34
Friendly Hotels 122 120 +1.67
Granada Group 963 914 +5.36
Greenalls Group 410.5 424.5 -3.30
Groupe Chez Gérard 281.5 278.5 +1.08
Grosvenor Inns 215.5 214.5 +0.47
Hanover International 125 115.5 +8.23
Jarvis Hotels 157.5 159 -0.94
Jurys Hotel Group (IR£) 490 500 -2.00
Ladbroke Group 296 275 +7.64
Macdonald Hotels 195 185 +5.41
Millennium Copthorne 449 459.5 -2.29
Oriental Restaurants 256 254.5 +0.59
PizzaExpress 689 741.5 -7.08
Queens Moat Houses 14 13.75 +1.82
Harry Ramsden's 362.5 330 +9.85
Rank Group 299.75 307.25 -2.44
Regal Hotel Group 41 42 -2.38
Ryan Hotels (IR£) 82 77 +6.49
Savoy Hotel A 1375 1325 +3.77
Scottish & Newcastle 809 778 +3.98
Stakis 103 102 +0.98
Thistle Hotels 173 163.5 +5.81
Vaux Group 254.5 251.5 +1.19
JD Wetherspoon 292.5 297.5 -1.68
Whitbread 970 942.5 +2.92
FTSELeisure &Hotels 3491.09 3389.90 +2.99
FTSE All Share 2536.68 2432.02 +4.30
Source: BZW Securities
