SHARES in conservatory roof maker Ultraframe bounced back this week to recover some of the losses suffered last week in the wake of a profits warning.

The Clitheroe company's shares rose 9.09 per cent, from 66p to 72p, to propel it to the top of the MEN/Brewin Dolphin Index of north west stocks. Ultraframe took a hammering last week after its second profits warning in six months.

Handforth-based Topps Tiles' shares soared 7.23 per cent, from 169.5p to an all-time high of 181.75p.

Macclesfield engineering business Bodycote International's significant rise in first-half profits boosted its shares by 2.87 per cent.

The price rose from 139.5p to 143.5p after the firm announced demand is recovering and it has carried out a major cost-cutting programme.

Bodycote, which coats, welds and tests metals for the aerospace, automotive and energy industries, employs about 1,000 staff in the UK.

Overall, there were 28 risers and 23 fallers in the Index this week. Fourteen stocks remained unchanged. The Index gained 0.89 per cent to 1437.36, compared with a 2.09 per cent rise in the FTSE 100 Index.

Brewin Dolphin's Julian Hardiman said: "The theme of low volumes and inactivity continued this week, with global markets recovering as the crude oil price falls back from highs seen earlier in the month."

Manchester United's decision to join the bidding war for Everton and England striker Wayne Rooney boosted its share price from 252.75p to 257p, a rise of 1.68 per cent.

The announcement by Argos and Homebase owner GUS that it is to seek a partial listing for its South African retail business, the Lewis Group, nudged up its shares by 0.77 per cent, from 840p to 846.5p.

At the other end of the scale, Cheadle-based computer games developer Warthog was zapped by the markets. Shares in the AIM-listed company slumped 16.67 per cent, from 1.2p to 1p, an all-time low. Less than three years ago, they were trading at 45p.

BAE Systems was a faller following bearish brokers' reports citing concerns over its short-term profits. The shares dived 2.57 per cent, from 204.5p to 199.25p.

Despite continuing bid speculation, Cheshire-based construction and engineering giant AMEC slipped 0.98 per cent, from 306p to 303p.

There was no recovery for Wigan-based retailer JJB Sports in the wake of last week's profits warning. The shares continued to slide, by 0.95 per cent from 183.75p to 182p.

London Scottish Bank's '10m swoop for assets of door-to-door loans firm Morse, with the prospect of a further payment of '5m, failed to make a lasting impression as the shares dipped 0.41 per cent, to 122p. Tweet