Sources close to IQ Holdings believe the acquisitive financial market researcher may be considering funding options.

Chaired by City figure Tim Hearley, London-based IQ, which floated on AIM last November, provides research primarily for banks and insurance companies. The company, whose recent acquisitions include the Rosslyn Research group, is thought to be contemplating funding suitable new potential takeovers.

IQ lost £258,000 in the six months to last March on £461,000 turnover, partly because of acquisition expenses and partly because of slow take-up of its life and pensions product. At the time, the company expressed confidence about a ‘significant’ improvement in the second half-year, though Hearley warned it was ‘unlikely’ that market expectations of profits for the full year to September would be met.

Floated at 2p, IQ shares have now fallen to 0.32p.

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IQ Holdings	AIM	£0.17m	0.20p	0.00p
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