Bradford & Bingley's (BB.) in the news today as it apparently wants to buy assets from Northern Rock (NRK), whose ratings have been reiterated by S&P. Aquarius Platinum (AQP) have an employee strike on their hands in South Africa. Sports Direct (SPD or 'speed' as we call it here) has announced interim results. Revenue is down because of the weather and England playing badly, underlying profit is £52m which is above the £40m that's been rumoured. A lot of the headline numbers look bad as expected but the international business seems to have earnings growth.

In the mid-caps, oil services company John Wood Group (WG.) says earnings will be above expectations. Cantor are calling it higher, as they are with Cobham (COB), who are making positive noises while complaining about 'currency headwinds'. Wolfson Microelectronic's (WLF) chairman has bought shares worth £194,000. Moneysupermarket.com (MONY) are trading in line with expectations. Pace PIC has been approached about a reverse takeover - not BSkyB spinning out Amstrad already surely? :-)

BP. has been downgraded to neutral from overweight by JP Morgan. S&P have cut Kingfisher's (KGF) ratings outlook to negative. HBOS has been downgraded to neutral from buy at Goldman Sachs, who have also downgraded Barclays (BARC) to sell from neutral. WH Smith (SMWH) has been upgraded to buy from neutral by UBS, Intercontinental Hotels downgraded to equal-weight from overweight by Morgan Stanley.

FTSE is currently being called up 21 at 6300 by CMC. Dow futures are up 6 at 13,238.

BROKERWATCH Barclays, Natixis, UBS, HBOS downgraded at Goldman SachsBROKERWATCH Rexam upgraded to 'outperform' vs 'neutral' at Credit SuisseTokyo shares close lower for sixth straight day - UPDATE

BROKERWATCH Vodafone initiated as 'sell' at SG Securities, target 160 pence

UK smallcap opening - Beowulf Mining ticks up on new Swedish investors report

UK smallcap opening - Real Hotel lower on FY profits warningThe Wednesday Press Roundup

*KINGFISHER OUTLOOK CUT TO NEGATIVE ON CHALLENGING UK ENVIRONMENT - S&PUK smallcap opening - William Ransom slides as interims disappoint

*NOTE TO SUBSCRIBERS KINGFISHER OUTLOOK CUT BY S&PBROKERWATCH UK oil sector stocks price targets raised by Credit SuisseOUTLOOK Vertice 360 market debut seen valuing co at 247-477 mln eurUK smallcap opening - British Polythene slides on FY profits warning

UK smallcap opening - DTZ lower on H1 profits drop; cautious statement

UK smallcap opening - Kalimantan Gold falls as Oxiana declines exercising option

In a note this morning, Credit Suisse said it raising its target price on Burren Energy to 1,230 pence from 1,100 pence; Tullow Oil to 700 pence from 669 pence; Cairn Energy to 2,600 pence from 2,229 pence; and Premier Oil to 1,330 pence from 1,253 pence.

The broker also raised its target price on Venture Production to 684 pence from 641 pence; Soco International to 2,250 pence from 2,121 pence and Dana Petroleum to 1,520 pence from 1,487 pence.

UK smallcap opening - Impax advances as BNP Paribas snaps up 28.31 pct stake

UK smallcap opening - Millbrook Scientific edges up as H1 losses narrow

UK smallcap opening - Johnson Service higher on hopes of deal with lenders

BROKERWATCH Rio Tinto 2008 EPS estimate upped at LehmanUK small caps open easier; Kalimantan weak as Oxiana declines option

Metals - Platinum stays near record highs, gold flat on mixed outlook for dollar

Metals - Copper firms a touch on optimistic outlook for Chinese demand

STOCKWATCH Galapagos higher on news of osteoporosis tie-up with Lilly

Metals - Platinum near record, gold flat on mixed outlook for dollar UPDATE

BROKERWATCH UBS cuts price targets among UK general retailers

Metals - Copper firms a touch on optimistic outlook for Chinese demand UPDATELondon shares - mid-morning features