STOCK WATCH

SHARES in Microsaic Systems rocketed after the UK chemical instrument maker signed a distribution deal with German firm Knauer.

Microsaic’s mass spectrometry instruments, used to determine the chemical compounds in substances, will be bolted on to Knauer’s liquids separation equipment.

It also means Microsaic’s technology will be sold by Knauer globally, in particular Germany. Shares in AIM-listed Microsaic shot up 31.4pc, or 0.55p, to 2.3p.