Dorset pub group Eldrige Pope yesterday warned it would fall into losses in the six months to March.
The warning saw shares fall to a 10-year low as analysts cut forecasts for full-year profits by a quarter to £4.1m.
The group said it would cut costs and could sell some assets. Analysts speculated that could involve a divestment of the 55-strong portfolio of tenanted pubs or a sale of the Toad-branded managed estate.
Speculation about a sale of the whole pub group to a rival operator was revived.
References: Financial Times 22/02/03 page 12, Daily Telegraph 22/02/03 page 28, The Times 22/02/03 Business page 54, The Independent 22/02/03 page 25
