Hello traders!

In the US tonight, the DJIA was down 65.15 points at 8564.53 with the S&P500
off 11.16 points at 868.57 and the Nasdaq Composite down 32.38 points at 1508.34.

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

G.

Good morning traders!

In Asia today, the Nikkei fell 96.64 points to 8,568.02 , while the Hang Seng ended
the morning session 35.09 points higher at 15,082.04.

Happy trading!

G.

PRESS DIGEST - New York Times business news - Dec 16PRESS DIGEST - Wall Street Journal - Dec 16

Morning all. Market reports:

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

Speculators last night stood to make hefty gains from bets they had placed against the pound after the embattled currency hit another low and skidded ever closer to parity against the euro.
Gamble pays off for currency speculators after sterling is driven to new low

The European Central Bank is studying radical plans to reboot Europes bank lending market, a senior policymaker revealed Monday after warning that financial market tensions could wreak significant further economic damage. Ideas for a clearing house to boost the interbank lending market, which is at the heart of the financial system, were potentially applicable, said Lucas Papademos, ECB vice-president.
ECB studies radical lending plans

Russia is to join Opec in a co-ordinated cut in oil production for the first time in a highly-controversial move that will further raise tensions with the West.
Russia to join oil cartel moves to cut supplies

HSBC Holdings Plc, Europes biggest bank, may seek to raise about $14 billion as increasing bad-loan provisions erode profit, CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets said.
HSBC May Seek to Raise $14 Billion Capital, CLSA Says

That the auditors to Bernie Madoff's $50bn exclusive fund were an unknown firm consisting of a 78-year-old retiree living in Florida, one accountant and a secretary, all technically operating from an 13ft by 8ft office in northern New York state, should have sent alarm bells ringing in the minds of the individuals, charities and hedge funds who often fought hard to gain access to his consistent 10pc to 12pc annual returns.
The $50bn hedge fund audited by a one man band and a secretary

NIKKEI 225	AUSTRALIA ASX200	SHANGHAI	HANG SENG

KOSPI	VIX

The Tuesday Press Roundup

PRESS DIGEST - Russia - Dec 16PRESS DIGEST - Ireland - Dec 16

Glance-STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-European futures point to lower start

Glance-STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Carpetright dives after profit warning

Glance-STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Holcim 4 pct lower after Cemex guidanceGlance-STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-REpower up, shareholders agree on stake sale

Glance-STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Kesa falls on poor H1 results, downgradesGlance-STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Tullow Oil surges on new oil finds in Uganda

End-of-day Market Overview