S&P Futures

U.S. technology stocks led the market higher after a three-session sell off sparked by worries about interest rate hikes. Cisco Systems reported better-than-expected sales and profits for the latest quarter. Oil rises back above $40 a barrel

WPP, HSBC has picked the group to handle its global advertising for its estimated $600 million account

N. Brown home shopping reported a 10.4% fall in profit and took an additional 17.5 million pound charge as the group warned of an extremely competitive market.

BSkyB said its nine month profit increased nearly ten-fold to 243m above expectations. The company gained 66,000 new subscribers below the average of 100,000 per quarter it needs to meet its target of 8.0 million by the end of 2005.

Galen Holdings drug makers beat forecasts with an 84 percent rise in second-quarter earnings with profits of 29.6 U.S. cents per share.

Taylor Nelson market research said that demand for market information will grow by three to four percent in 2004 and gave a positive outlook for most of its markets.

FirstGroup bus and rail operator posted a fall in annual operating profits, but at the top end of analyst estimates, amid strong growth across all its divisions.

Xansa computer services said its annual performance will meet expectations with contract wins from the Office for National Statistics, MyTravel, Barclaycard and Lawson

BSkyB (I), Fulcrum (I), Alliance Pharma (F), FirstGroup (F), Galen Pharma (I), N Brown (F), Carillion (AGM), Gallaher (AGM), Guinness Peat (AGM), Maisha (AGM), Mallett (AGM), Nichols (AGM), Ottakar's (AGM), Quarto Group (AGM), Spectris (AGM), Taylor Nelson (AGM), Unilever (AGM), Watermark Group (AGM), Weir Group (AGM)BOE Inflation Report (09:30) Labour Market Report (08:30), March Trade (08:30)

Walt Disney Computer Associates International Federated Department Stores Compuware

1.30pm Export Prices ex-ag. 1.30pm Import Prices ex-oil 1.30pm Trade Balance

Le Carbone Lorraine European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS NV GFI Informatique SA

Enel (IT)

Ex Dividend: AMEC 284.25 6.90 2.43%, Anglo Irish Bank Corporation 13.25 7.52c 0.57%, Antofagasta 925.00 12.84 1.39%, Andrews Sykes Group 217.00 3.00 1.38%, BP 500.50 3.67 0.73%, Booth Industries Group 29.50 5.00 16.95%, Bertam Holdings 285.00 6.25 2.19%, Beattie (James) 132.00 8.40 6.36%, Chemring Group 442.00 4.85 1.10%, Gresham House 442.50 3.10 0.70%, GlaxoSmithKline 1195.00 10.00 0.84%, Hydro International 122.00 1.50 1.23%, Incepta Group 103.50 1.00 0.97%, Jennings Brothers 249.00 4.30 1.73%, Lookers 287.50 7.70 2.68%, Metalrax Group 88.50 3.75 4.24%, Premier Direct Group 747.50 7.00 0.94%, REXAM 457.25 9.58 2.10%, Richmond Foods 517.50 1.00 0.19%, Severfield-Rowen 390.00 10.75 2.76%, Trio Holdings 26.75 0.25 0.93%, Wensum Company 84.50 4.20 4.97%, Whitbread 769.50 16.20 2.11%

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