Shares in financial information provider Datamonitor surged to a two-year high of 130p on the back of what was a second positive trading update inside just three months. In a brief statement management confirmed that fourth quarter performance had exceeded earlier expectations and that, as a result, 'sales, revenues, forward sales, profit before tax and cash balances are all likely to be well ahead of market forecasts for the year ended 31 December'. The bullish summation enabled Datamonitor to consolidate upon an equally positive third quarter update and a strong interim report that had shown 2002's first-half loss of £3.4m converted into a £472,000 profit before tax on sales up 10% at £17m. House broker Investec now predicts a £2.5m profit before tax, goodwill and exceptionals (£4.4m loss), on sales of £36.3m and earnings of 3.4p for the full year, with a £3.6m profit and earnings of 5.3p following in 2004. At the current level the shares trade off an 80% premium to the 71.5p value at which Growth Company Investor recommended them in August. A 2004 p/e of 24.5 suggests the shares may now experience some short-term resistance. But while top slicing should be considered, it's worth keeping the lion's share of your holding.

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