Allied Domecq basks in the Buffet factor

Well, now you know the surest way to inject some life into a stock in which you have invested - plant a rumour that US investment maestro Warren Buffet has expressed an interest in the company.

In the wake of George Soros, the "Sage of Omaha" has become the next best thing to God on the investment circuit and news that he had expressed an interest in the British market had watchers living on their nerves in recent weeks.

The announcement that his investment vehicle, Berkshire Hathaway, had decided to place its chips on Allied Domecq, currently in talks with Whitbread to sell its pubs and other retail interests, was not exactly a shock given the guru's preference for strong brands. But it did the shares no harm as they jumped more than 5 per cent on the day.