STOCK WATCH

SHARES in Ilika plunged after the battery tech group predicted wider losses.

It said optimising production of its Stereax miniature batteries, used in wireless sensors and medical implants, was taking longer than anticipated and shifting demand meant sales were expected to begin later than expected.

It forecast a loss for the year to April 30 of £7m, more than treble the previous year’s, with revenues to fall to £0.5m from £2.3m. Shares fell 31.6pc, or 30p, to 65p.