Shares digital

Customised electronic devices expert Laird (LARD) has bought Ezurio, a privately-owned supplier of wireless data applications, for £12.5 million in cash.

The deal will expand Laird's presence in a growing machine-to-machine market. Ezurio's turnover was £4 million in 2007, it reached breakeven in the past quarter, and sales should grow 50% in 2008. Laird's volatile shares gained more than 8% in the past three weeks to 475.5p.

Shares says: A sign that Laird has financial firepower and good growth opportunities. CS