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It's been a strife-torn time for the transport sector, marked by train operator uproar at Network Rail proposals (submitted to the Government) to seize control of trains, and the debacle at Eurotunnel. The debt-laden Channel trains punt looks to be heading into the hands of creditors.

Christian Salvesen, the small cap logistics player, set the tone earlier in the month, its trading update warning figures for the year to March would disappoint.

Chiming in with some good news was Air Partner, the world's leading air charter broker, which soared 11p higher to 446p after unveiling interim pre-tax profits of £1.2 million to 31 January, up from £500,000 last year, on an eight per cent turnover hike to £43.6 million. Business levels recovered strongly from a year earlier, when clients delayed committing to charters in the run up to the Iraq war.

In other good news, ABN Amro's rating on Michael O'Leary's Ryanair has switched from reduce to add — the broker says the yield outlook isn't as bad as the market has priced in. The no-frills carrier had hit recent turbulence, including a profit warning and the European Commission's ruling against subsidies from state-owned airports.