Ulcerative Colitis

The group touched 337p amid intense speculation that Russian state gas group Gazprom might launch a bid.

Citigroup advised clients to buy because other interested parties may be flushed out even if Gazprom does not bid.

Should Gazprom decide to make a move, it is unlikely it would receive UK regulatory approval.

Rupert Murdoch's BSkyB firmed 81/2p to 505p.

Value investor Brandes Investment Partners has acquired a 3.1pc stake via a mixture of ordinary shares and American depositary receipts.

Franklin Resources has increased its stake to 10.1pc from 9pc.

GTL Resources, which is building an ethanol plant in Illinois, added 0.37p to 2.43p on turnover of 48m.

Still reeling from Monday's shock profit warning which saw its valuation collapse 45pc, iSoft fell 101/4p further to 181p.

The health software firm said it expects a GBP55m shortfall in full-year revenues after delays to the NHS's computer upgrade.

AIM-listed e-retail, the online retail consultant, jumped 21/2p to 51/2p following its reverse takeover of online specialist music and fashion retailer EBTM (Everything But The Music) for GBP1.5m.

US institutional buying following a recent upbeat roadshow lifted Ceres Power 15p to 240p.

Funeral parlour group Dignity gained 153/4p to 4791/4p after revealing plans to return GBP80m, or GBP1 a shar...

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