STOCK WATCH

■ IRN Bru maker AG Barr will beat profit forecasts amid strong sales momentum in recent months.

The Scottish business said sales since September ‘have grown ahead of our expectations’. The drinks firm has been buoyed by the return of more normal habits as people head back to offices in city centres, as well as the recovery of bars and restaurants.

Revenues are expected to be around £264m for the year, with a forecast pre-tax profit of around £41m, assuming there are no big changes to market conditions.

Shares soared 13pc, or 61p, to 529p.