S&P Futures

U.S. stocks came of the highs, but still in positive territory at the close.

Aviva said on Friday it expects its 2003 operating profit to exceed market expectations, following a strong second-half performance across its life and general insurance operations. They said profit, was expected to be around 1.9 billion pounds against 1.7 billion in 2002, and ahead of a market consensus

EasyJet reported a 12.3 percent rise in January passenger traffic and said its prudent growth strategy meant it did not have to change its "cautiously optimistic" outlook.

Moss Bros said its Chief Executive, Adrian Wright, has stepped down "to pursue other interests". The announcement came with a trading statement that said like-for-like sales in the year to January were flat, with gross margins up seven percent.

British Airways, Eddington to cuts jobs and fares to fill planes

HMV (I), Alumasc Group (I), Rolls-Royce (F) Barclays (F), London Bridge Software (F)

(09:30) UK Q4 housebuilding data

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