some weeks ago I did a search through my archives of "look who's trading/a share in the boardroom" from the Sunday Times & Telegraph. Having only known Lloyds of London as a place where the rich and stupid get fleeced by sharp suited city gents, I was intrigued by major Director Buying despite the horrors of 9/11 & Iraq conflict. Well my instinct told me a turnaround was afoot so I bought in b4 results. Sure enough, a turnaround is on the cards and the shares and pushing into higher ground.

Just thought I'd mention it.

Still motoring.....

Lloyd's insurer Brit Insurance Holdings said its pretax profit for 2005 will come in 'significantly ahead of market consensus expectations.'

The group credited the success on strong investment returns and solid underwriting profits from non-catastrophe insurance.

The company said its full-year profit will be 'in the region' of 60m, compared with 102.5m in 2004. It added that it would be recommending a final dividend of 3p per share, giving a total payout for the year of 6p.

Brit said the improved profit forecast comes despite an increase in its provisions against claims from the US hurricane season to $385m from $325m.

The 2005 US hurricane season ranks the most destructive on record, with Hurricane Katrina alone causing an estimated insured loss of up to $50bn when it swept through the southern US in September.

'Our expected profit demonstrates that a well-balanced portfolio can generate good positive results, even in an extreme catastrophe year,' CEO, Dane Douetil, said in a statement, adding that 2006 had 'started well'.

Through the year high today. Appears to be going from strength to strength.

Can someone explain this to me? BRE are being taken over, everything is agreed, my understanding is final price with add ons is 1070p per share so why would today's sp be sitting at bid 1084p offer 1092p. Am I missing something here or have I just lost the plot!

Forget last question deal is done for share holders who accepted ie.money in acc. So this must be for sh holders who didn't.