Gilts

Gilt prices were smashed by a rush into equities yesterday. As the stock market soared, the March long gilt future was down 84 ticks at 110.17, although the equivalent bund future fell even further, going some 90 ticks lower. The sell-off was also triggered by growing hints from the Bank of England that it will not cut rates by as much as some had hoped.

Rumour of the day

Healthcare Locums, the recruiter of healthcare professionals, steady at 80p, has fallen sharply since September amid a squeeze on NHS budgets. But there is talk that demand has increased recently and that its trading statement for the full year on Monday will be stronger than expected. The broker Daniel Stewart has a 155p price target.

Deal of the day

Ian Mason and Mark Rolfe, non-executive directors at Sage Group, the business accounting software firm, each bought 10,000 shares at 216p. The shares, which rose 1p to 217p, fell on Wednesday after a downgrade from Evolution, which warned that there was still a management gap at its US operation, which may be suffering.

Bet of the day

Greene King, the Suffolk brewer, updates on trading next Tuesday. Its share price has suffered in the wake of the consumer downturn, dropping from its peak of £11.90 to 744p yesterday. Investors will be keen to see if there is any light at the end of what seems a long tunnel. Capital Spreads is quoting a rolling price of 741.0-745.5p with no expiry date.

Tiddler to watch

China Eastsea Business Software, an IT consultant and back office outsourcer, rose 3p to 28p on its first day of trading on AIM after its broker Evolution transferred it from Plus Markets. The company has evolved from the outsourced IT department of China's refining giant Sinopec, which still holds 50per cent.

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