Goals manages a much-needed score but match still as level as its shares

Published on Monday 22 September 2008 21:35

SCOTS STOCKS

GOALS Soccer Centres has had a hard time of late. Once the shining star of Scotland's Aim-listed companies, the five-a-side football pitch operator has come under fire over fears – seemingly unfounded – that the consumer slowdown will hammer its business, and company specific issues, with some analysts claiming the firm's outlook statements are inappropriate.

But yesterday, Goals received a morale boost as analysts at Evolution initiated the company with a "buy" rating and a 350p target price, claiming few leisure sector businesses had the potential of Goals. The shares, though, were unchanged at 207.5p.

Venture Production, the Aberdeen-based oil company, dipped 5.5p to 629.5p despite production starting at its long-awaited Chestnut field east of Aberdeen. Dana Petroleum, meanwhile, rose 28p to 1,321p and Cairn Energy gained 82p to 2,450p as oil climbed towards $110 a barrel.

The rise in the crude price dragged down transport companies, though, with Stagecoach off 9.25p to 303.25p while logistics and distribution company John Menzies slipped 10.5p to 300p.

Irn-Bru maker AG Barr recovered most of Friday's fall yesterday, ahead of this week's interim results. Its shares rose 5.5 per cent or 57p to 1,097p.