Hello traders!

In the US tonight, the Dow was last up 57.88 points at 12,240.01, while the
S&P500 was ahead 7.84 points at 1,339.13 and the Nasdaq Composite 15.21
points better at 2,320.06.

See you in the morning with the latest.......

G.

Morning all. Market reports:

Telegraph
The Times
The Times (Need to know)
The Independent
The Guardian
This is Money

The United States will suffer a protracted economic downturn that will have a profound effect on investors in the developing world, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said yesterday.
IMF chief warns of worldwide impact of American slowdown

The Fed's quick and scything cuts in interest rates may not have countered the damaging impact of the credit crunch.
The vicious circle that trapped America

Credit market problems have forced Standard Chartered to call in the receivers at its structured investment vehicle (SIV), one of the more "toxic" products created during the recent financial services boom.
Standard SIV goes to receivers

American International Group (AIG), the worlds largest insurance company, yesterday gave warning that it would need to write down the value of investments in sub-prime mortgages by about $4.88 billion (2.5 billion) for October and November.
AIG warns of $4.8bn sub-prime writedown

Soaring food and energy prices and further depressing trade figures yesterday added to worries about the economy and dashed hopes of another early cut in interest rates. Markets were shocked by official figures showing factory gate inflation - the price industry pays for its goods and services - is rising at the fastest rate for more than 16 years. The price paid by the customer is also soaring, rising at the highest rate for 13 years.
Shock inflation rise hits hopes of early rate cut

I invented a new index yesterday. From 2003 to 2007 it ran like this: 600, 1057, 1592, 1588, 1822. To be known as Stevenson's Stagflation index (SSI), it measures the number of articles in which my press cuttings database finds a mention of that unholy combination of sluggish growth and rising prices. As you can see, the SSI has been in a serious uptrend.
Stagflation dragon stirs as factory prices soar

NIKKEI	AUSTRALIA	HANG SENG

Shanghai is closed for the Chinese New Year.

Good morning traders!

In Asia today, the Nikkei closed up just 4.72 points at 13,021.96, while the Hang
Seng reached the midpoint up 458.31 points at 23,074.42.

Happy trading!

G.

OUTLOOK Securitas Q4 pretax seen higher; focus on Loomis, LCM troublesTFN economic and business calendarAustralian shares close higher, led by major banks, miners - UPDATEAustralian shares close higher, led by major banks, miners

TFN UK calendar and forecasts for today

Tokyo shares close little changed amid lingering US economic worries

London shares outlook - higher after Monday fall, overnight gains in NY, Asia

The Tuesday Press Roundup

Thomson Financial UK at a glance share guide

BROKERWATCH Unilever downgraded to 'hold' from 'buy' by CitigroupBROKERWATCH AB Foods upped to 'market-perform' by Sanford Bernstein; ups target

BROKERWATCH AstraZeneca started 'sell' by ING; 1,760 pence price targetBROKERWATCH Ciba Specialty cut to 'equal-weight' at Morgan Stanley

BROKERWATCH ArcelorMittal cut to 'hold', Thyssenkrupp to 'sell' at SG SecuritiesBROKERWATCH Unilever downgraded to 'hold' from 'buy' by CitigroupBROKERWATCH AB Foods upped to 'market-perform' by Sanford Bernstein; ups targetUK smallcap opening - Osmetech advances on gene variant discoveryLondon shares open higher after NY, Asia close up; miners, financials supportUK smallcap opening - Ultrasis up on contract news

OUTLOOK Liberty International set to reveal lower NAV as valuations decline

Tokyo shares close little changed amid lingering US economic worries - UPDATE

BROKERWATCH Reckitt Benckiser price target cut by 5 pct to 3,050 pence by UBSUK smallcap opening - Silverjet slides again on competition threat

Metals - Platinum hits new record as South African supply fears fuel buyingUK small caps open higher with Nostra Terra firm on well return to JV

Metals - Copper rises as inventories drop again

Metals - Platinum hits new record as SAfrican supply fears fuel buying UPDATE

STOCKWATCH Xstrata shares lower after rejecting Vale 39 bln stg approach

Metals - Copper rises as inventories drop again UPDATE

WALL STREET OUTLOOK Lower open seen amid credit jitters; GM results awaited

BROKERWATCH Rolls-Royce target price cut to 413p vs 447p by Goldman Sachs

London shares - midmorning features

London shares - midday featuresUK small caps firm at midday; Rift Oil prepares for drilling at Puk Puk

Midday Market Roundup

OUTLOOK UK supermarket industry awaits findings of key competition probePrecious Metals Summary - London AM Fixings

STOCKWATCH Pronova down on 2008 margin concerns but longer-term outlook bright

FOCUS AstraZeneca's GI R&D sale would be in line with policy; part of a trend

Metals - Copper firmer on stock draw-down ahead of Chinese returnSTOCKWATCH Julius Baer soars on Goldman Sachs bid rumour

Softs - Wheat prices in Europe track US futures southLondon shares - midafternoon features

Metals - Platinum slips from record highs as investors take profits midafternoon

Precious Metals Summary - London PM Fixings

Metals - Standard Bank lifts 2008 platinum price forecast to 1,900 usd/oz

TFN economic and business calendar to Tuesday Feb 26

End-of-day Market Roundup