NEW FIRM OLD MUTUAL SHOWS STRONGLY

The stockbroker survey is now the biggest of any of the adviser tables, with 14 firms now in the list.

Old Mutual has repeated its success in the Financial Adviser table, storming into seventh position. The merger of Albert E Sharp (previously 20th) and Greig Middleton (19th) has amalgamated their respective clients to form a firm with 85.5 clients. The firm has added new clients Kunick and International Greetings (jointly with Rathbone's) to its books.

Elsewhere in the table, the propensity of quoted companies to change stockbrokers rather than other advisers has had a marked effect on positions. Merrill Lynch has seen one of its major clients, Abbey National appoint Lehman Brothers to its cost. Merrill had a drop of two points and one place in the league. Beeson Gregory leaped two places on the back of an eight-point gain. They are now the brokers to SFI at the expense of Charterhouse. HSBC had a strong quarter up seven points, with the additions of Charles Stanley, Incepta and Transense.

UBS Warburgs re-branding from Warburg Dillon Read couldn't stop its losing three points in the number table. Those which remain, however, turned in fantastic profit figures, up by almost £6 billion. This was thanks to improved results from Scottish Power, Inchcape and Old Mutual. Elsewhere, Credit Suisse clients added substantially to its profit figure (up £1535.7m) allowing it to over-take Hoare Govett in third place. Up front Cazenove saw its figures drop slightly despite being appointed broker to Mid-250 company Photo-me International.

Newcomer, Old Mutual showed strongly in the two growth tables due to a good-sized collection of smaller corporate clients (including 16 on AIM). It came first when rated for the average increases in client's pre-tax profit and second for clients EPS growth. Also doing well was Dresdner Kleinwort Benson which shot up to third in both tables.

Will the next quarter see the stockbrokers drop back to normal levels or maintain their growth rates?