A British bookmaker is taking spread bets on corporate profits. Financial Spreads offers punters an option on profits figures announced by the top 100 UK companies in an effort to attract dedicated market watchers.

Regulators' fear of insider trading means such bets must be reported to the securities and futures authorities.

The bookmaker's said it will not take any bets that may be linked to inside information rather than speculation.

Paddy Power bookmakers' does not currently offer such spread bets but its website has financial choices ranging from Irish inflation and Eircom's share price to end of day prices and end of year prices on various stock markets.