SMALLER STOCK TO WATCH
1st Dental Laboratories, the AIM-listed vehicle that plans to consolidate the market for making false teeth, bridges, crowns and other dental devices, is expected to report strong first-half results today, with turnover up 25 per cent. The Loughborough-based company owns eight dental laboratories in the UK. Its shares closed last week at 29½p.
DEAL OF THE DAY
WestLB, the German bank, is reportedly close to selling its 33 per cent stake in TUI, Europe’s biggest travel group, in a deal worth up to €900 million (£600 million). Industry sources say that the most likely buyer would be Riu Hotels, of Spain. TUI’s British brands include Thomson Holidays, Lunn Poly and Britannia Airways.
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BET OF THE DAY
Starbucks, the coffee bar operator, last week reported its slowest like-for-like growth rate in 14 months, with year-on-year growth of 8 per cent in August, against a typical rate of 11 per cent. The shares closed up 55 cents at $43.12 on Friday. Capital Spreads offers a range of $43.18 to $43.30 on where the shares will close on September 14.