The UK's most shorted stock, (HMV) report like-for-like up 9.4%, UK life-for-like up 14.1%, and margins were higher. FY pretax will be at the upper end of expectations. Evolution have upgraded to buy from add this morning, so stop adding and start buying. Euroclear say 35.5% of the stock is out on loan. Kesa Electricals (KESA) say they have had revenue growth but UK conditions are particularly difficult and they are being hit by high energy costs. Home Retail Group (HOME) say they are trading in line and they expect their FY results to be at the upper end, but forward sales growth will be harder. Analysts are saying they are below expectations.

Baratt Developments (BDEV) say they are trading satisfactorily, market fundamentals remain strong, but their forward order book is slightly lower at 1.26bln. Sibir Energy (SBE) has announced a new production record. Smiths News (NWS) is trading in line. Enterprise Inns say they balance sheet and cash flows remain healthy. Associated British Foods (ABF) say trading was ahead but EU sugar reform will hit FY profits - probably bad news for (TATE) then. Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) say there are no changes to their expectations since their last update, they are sales were up 1.2%.

Metals trader Wogen (WGN) have trebled their pre-tax profit and increased gross margin. EarthPort (EPO) are claiming a 173% revenue increase (unaudited) and they are satisfied they will reach profitability and some unspecified point although the priority for the second half is winning orders.

Experian (EXPN) have been downgraded to neutral from buy with a 411 target from 510 by Goldman Sachs. Hammerson (HMSO) has been downgraded to equal-weight by Morgan Stanley. British Land (BLND) has been upgraded to overweight by Morgan Stanley. Enterprise Inns (ETI) have been downgraded to sell from reduce by Evolution, so stop reducing and start selling. Lehman Brothers have slashed estimates for Bradford & Bingley (BB.).

The FTSE is currently being called up 47 at 5,989 by CMC. Dow futures are currently being called up 77 at 12,543. The Hang Seng has had a 1,300 turnaround today from 500 points down to 800 up.

BROKERWATCH Experian cut to 'neutral' at Goldman Sachs, target reduced to 411p

UK smallcap opening - Newport Networks up on contract hopes

STOCKWATCH HMV firmer post full year statement; broker reaction mixed

BROKERWATCH Euro retail sector cut to 'neutral' vs 'attractive' at Goldman SachsLondon shares open higher, Home Retail surges after upbeat statement

UK smallcap opening - Tribal Group higher on upbeat update

UK smallcap opening - Egdon debuts following Portland Gas demerger

STOCKWATCH Rexam higher; upped to 'buy' vs 'neutral' at UBS; target 510p vs 540

STOCKWATCH SABMiller lower as Q3 misses forecasts; confirms slowdown - broker

STOCKWATCH Enterprise Inns firmer after update; Deutsche Bank reiterate 'buy'UK smallcap opening -ValiRx up on positive studies

STOCKWATCH AB Foods higher as Primark's strong Xmas overshadows sugar warningUK smallcap opening - IBS OPENSystems off on FY profits warning

STOCKWATCH Home Retail higher post FY update; 'buy' at Merrill Lynch; tgt 355p

London shares open higher, Home Retail surges after upbeat statement UPDATEUK small caps open higher, with Newport Networks strong on contract hopesMetals - Gold steady after losing 3 pct yesterday; Fed speech in focus

STOCKWATCH Kesa Electricals up on sales boost; Merrill Lynch 'buy', cuts ests

STOCKWATCH Vertice 360 soars on Avanzit takeover rumours; Avanzit halted

STOCKWATCH Drax, International Power, Centrica fall on windfall tax fearsMetals - Copper recovers from two days of falls amid US rate cut hopes

Metals - Gold steady after losing 3 pct yesterday; Fed speech in focus UPDATE

Metals - Copper recovers from two days of falls amid US rate cut hopes UPDATE

London shares - mid-morning features

BROKERWATCH Experian downgraded to 'neutral' from 'buy' at UBS, cuts tgt to 380pBROKERWATCH Enterprise Inns cut to 'sell' vs 'reduce' by Evolution after update