Devro helps itself with results

SCOTS STOCKS

DEVRO'S shares were lifted by a strong set of results and a round of share buying by two of the company's directors.

Chairman Pat Barrett, who is due to leave the firm later this year, bought 10,000 shares, while non-executive director Paul Neep bought 6,700 shares. Broker Investec reiterated its "buy" rating on the stock, predicting further solid volume growth this year. Shares in Devro climbed 3p to 87p.

Goals Soccer Centres fell to a fresh four-year low over fears for the leisure sector as the recession deepens, despite analysts' claims that about three-quarters of Goal's revenues are highly defensive. Shares in Goals, listed on Aim, closed down 5.5p to 104.5p.

Aberdeen-based energy company Ramco dropped 11.8 per cent despite broker Ambrian issuing an enthusiastic "buy" note on the shares, based on the firm's offshore wind power business, which won stakes in two major Scottish projects on Monday. Shares in Aim-listed Ramco slipped 6p to 45p.

Dana Petroleum, which rose slightly on its acquisition of a distressed rival, Boy Valley, on Monday, slid 61p, or 6 per cent, yesterday, to 960p. Elsewhere in the sector, Venture Production eased 1.9 per cent to 545.5p while oil services giant Wood dropped 5.7 per cent to 207.75p.

Scottish & Southern Energy was one of Scotland's few risers, on a day where defensive companies were in demand, climbing 20p to 1,218p.

Clyde Process Solutions rose 4.4 per cent to 23.5p despite asset management giant Blackrock cutting its stake to less than 3 per cent.