Industrial gases group BOC has announced that "Parkinson's litigation" was unlikely to have a major impact on its financial performance.
A report from broking house HSBC warned last week that the group faced a "significant financial risk" from claims that its welding rods gave off fumes leading to Parkinson's disease. Analysts had estimated that the cost could be as much as $70bn (£43bn).
However the group insisted yesterday that future litigation would have a "small" impact.
BOC relation's director Chris Marsay said: "In our annual report, we referred to the litigation and said we believe it can be disposed of without material impact on our financial statements. That remains our position."
HSBC maintained that its report was independent and correct. BOC shares rose 17.5 to 762.5p.
