Renewed interest in the stock of ntl, Britain's biggest cable operator, saw the share price of the company end the week sharply higher.

From mid-February through to the end of March - when ntl released results showing a narrowed loss for 2002 - ntl's share price languished in a $9-$10 range, sharply down from the high of $26 seen immediately after the cableco exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. However, with trade volumes recovering, the stock began a relentless rally around April 15; and the trend continued for the week beginning April 21 - in total, ntl stock ended the week higher by $3.59 at $17.51. The highest point the stock reached in this rally was $19.26 on Thursday April 24.

Reuters reports that "industry insiders" have said the increased volumes of trade - and recent strong gains in ntl stock - were likely due to a "few major investors buying into the stock now that any new bondholder owners uninterested in holding equity have unwound their positions in the company."