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Bullish house building and construction services play McAlpine impressed investors with news of 'yet another' year of 'very successful' growth. The shares advanced 24p to 256p following a positive trading statement in which the group claimed that margins had improved. Software and video games retailer Electronics Boutique enjoyed a share price lift on the back of an upbeat trading statement. Its shares sparked up by 15.5p to 65p over the course of the month after it revealed buoyant trading figures for December. The video games play experienced 15 per cent like-for-like sales growth and is on target to generate sales of £300 million for the year to 31 January 2001.

Retail clothing plays Laura Ashley and House of Fraser attached caveats to their 'strong sales performances'. Like-for-like sales at Laura Ashley were up 7 per cent over Christmas but the overall gross margin was down by 1 per cent. Four of its European administration sites are also due to be shut to increase efficiency. The shares were marginally down 1.25p to 17.5p, although Tom Gatsby from house broker Williams de Broe still believes the group is a 'promising' retail play. House of Fraser announced its 7 week Christmas sales growth was up by 4.5 per cent compared to 10 per cent last year, although two refurbishments at Oxford Street and Guildford have added 80,000 sq. ft of trading space. The shares drifted down 1.5p to 59.5p.

One of the biggest casualties this year, however, was clothes retailer Blacks Leisure. 'Very disappointing' Christmas and New Year trading forced the group to issue a profits warning after like-for-like sales were down by 4.7 per cent over the 'vital' six Christmas weeks. The shares plummeted 73.5p to 156.5p on the back of this news.

Profits warnings were not confined to the retailing sector and shares in bus manufacturer Henlys sank 30p to 383.5p, when the group announced its full year profits would fall 'marginally short of consensus forecasts'. Sales in the traditionally buoyant November and December period were apparently affected by the 'uncertain economic climate in the US'.

Over in the media sector Future Network warned profits for the year ended 31 December 2000 would come in at £34 million - £6 million lower than previous forecasts. The group claimed its sales shortfall was caused by low magazine sales, compounded by advertising being postponed by the low availability of the Sony PlayStation 2. It intends to cut investment levels in 2001 by £10 million to £20 million. The shares sit at 109.5p, a far cry from the 900p levels of six months ago.

Property, stadia and gaming play BS Group has signed an agreement to acquire a Tokyo gaming centre subject to shareholder approval at a forthcoming EGM and intends to roll out similar gaming centres in Japan and Europe. 'Miyadera' is a gaming centre in Tokyo which operates 'pachinko' machines, which are similar to pinball. The pachinko game is a phenomenon in Japan, where annual turnover exceeds that of the car industry. Bullish chief executive Clarke Osbourne described the game as 'fascinating theatre, excitement and noise', and made a comparison with the atmosphere experienced in Las Vegas. London would be the venue for any European offering of this 'Japanese pinball phenomenon'. Investors should watch this space.