STOCK WATCH

SHARES in Oxford Instruments were in demand after the group, which provides high technology tools for use in medical research and industry, swung to a profit in the year to March and said its order book is 12pc higher than at the same time last year.

The shares rose 3.8pc, or 25p to 685p as it reported profit of £13.1m, compared with a loss of £ 9.6m the previous year. Oxford Instruments has rejigged senior management and reported net debt of £128m, lower than expected by analysts.