Optos sets the right image for Wal-Mart

OPTOS, the retinal testing specialist, said yesterday that its P200 retinal imaging device will be used by Wal-Mart in its Advanced Instrument Program for the retail group’s in-store optometrists.

Going with the market flow

Saturday Interview: Mark Powles: He’s taking Scottish Water into a brave new ‘customer- facing’ world of Business Stream, hears Simon Bain.

Nationwide reveals UK house prices fall again

House prices fell for the fifth month in a row during March as the market continued its downward trend, figures showed today.

	Wolfson may have no more bites of the Apple
	Shares in Wolfson Microelectronics tumbled 18% after the firm said it had missed out on a key contract.

Central banks pour more money in financial system

The Bank of England - in a move to ease the pressure on banks caught in the grip of the worldwide credit squeeze - yesterday poured more money into the financial system.

Ardana soars on takeover speculation

Ardana, a former white hope of the Scottish biotechnology sector, moved yesterday to stem the collapse in its share price by announcing it had received a number of takeover approaches.

	No clear retail picture from surveys
	UK retail sales showed an unexpected year-on-year rise in early March, according to a survey yesterday from the Confederation of British Industry which is slightly more upbeat than a separate report today showing consumer confidence at a 15-year low.

Kingfisher sees profit collapse by 12%

The weather-vane home improvement sector continued to indicate rough times ahead for the consumer sector, as B&Q owner Kingfisher posted falling profits and slashed its dividend as it sought to conserve cash.

Suez rules out British Energy bid

Suez, the French utility planning to merge with Gaz de France, said yesterday it will not buy a stake in British Energy but would be interested in reaching a deal to develop and produce reactors with the Scottish-based nuclear power provider.

MPC caught in quandary

The UK public’s expectation of benchmark inflation over the coming year rocketed to a fresh record high of 3.6% in March, from 3.1% in February, according to a survey yesterday which will likely unnerve the Bank of England as it deliberates over interest rate cuts.

Mortgage demand remains subdued

Fresh demand for mortgages for house purchase in the UK remained subdued in February, the British Bankers’ Association said yesterday, adding to a raft of evidence pointing to a weaker housing market.

Glenrath enjoys cracking year despite higher feed costs

Glenrath Farms, Scotland’s biggest egg producer, increased profits in 2007 despite the soaring costs of grains used for chicken feed.

Wiseman pushes up prices to cover costs

East Kilbride-based Wiseman Dairies is pushing up its prices to cover rising costs for itself and farmers, it said yesterday.

Fee covers Barclays’ costs in ABN bid

Barclays said yesterday it spent about £100m on its futile attempt to buy Dutch bank ABN Amro last year, but the UK company said it was not out of pocket because the costs were easily covered by the break fee it received.

Dunedin Income and Growth takes heart

The £387m Dunedin Income and Growth investment trust, managed in Edinburgh by Aberdeen Asset Management, trailed its benchmark last year as the yield-seeking fund missed out on the boom in resources stocks.

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