STOCK WATCH

IOFINA, the only AIM-listed producer of iodine, climbed yesterday on news that its production had increased 10.8pc on last year.

Its chemicals are used in disinfectants, animal health and odour control and in pharma and agricultural processes.

In the first half of the year it has produced 264.1 metric tons of crystalline iodine, and plans to make between 575 and 605 metric tons over the full year.

Shares were up 5.1pc, or 0.8p, to 16.35p.