STOCK WATCH

■ The UK’s largest pawnbrokers H&T said that it had enjoyed record sales figures in December. H&T said watch sales were particularly strong last month, adding that trading remained robust through the fourth quarter of its year. Demand for pawnbroking loans was buoyant with the pledge book growing to £99m at the end of December from £66.9m a year earlier. Shares fell 4.9pc, or 24p, to 469p, which analysts put down to profit taking.