Shares in ailing appliance maker Moulinex rose yesterday after international financier Mr George Soros took a 5.5 per cent stake, but most investors on the Paris bourse bet on Moulinex's healthier rival, SEB.

Moulinex shares initially shot up more than 5 per cent to 117.90 francs (£13.73) on Soros's investment, which was announced on Wednesday evening by the French stock markets association, SBF.

But the shares slipped from their highs to close at 12.50 francs, up 1.3 per cent, as analysts said they did not believe the move signalled bid intentions.