In the UK the FTSE 100 plunged to its worst closing level in nine months following another slide on Wall Street in early trading, with SCH's disappointing agreed offer for Abbey National pressurising the banking sector.

The FTSE 100 closed down 39.3 points at 4,287.0, the first time the index has ended the day below 4,300 this year, and its worst finish since late October last year.

Activity on the market was, at best, patchy ahead of a slew of domestic earnings news later this week, with just 2.1 bln shares changing hands.

However (just for you Melnibone) the US markets did their customary about turn on UK close and whist never managing to break up closed well of their lows for the day with the Dow flat at but still with a 9 in front of it at 9961 the S&P down 2.13 at 1084.07 the NASDAQ down another 10 at 1839.

Not much is expected in after hours as most of todays biggies reported before close.

Good Hunting
Howevering of Oxon

morning all

Morning all

Morning all.

An interesting development here imho

Rentokil Initial PLC
27 July 2004

27th July 2004 - Embargoed until 0700 am


Rentokil Initial plc

James Wilde steps down as Chief Executive

James Wilde, Chief Executive of Rentokil Initial plc, is to leave the company
with immediate effect, by mutual consent. Whilst a new Chief Executive is being
sought, Brian McGowan, Chairman, will step into the role of Executive Chairman,
supported by the Finance Director and the four sector Managing Directors who
will continue to be responsible for the day to day management of the businesses.

Brian McGowan said 'The Board wishes James well. He initiated a number of much
needed changes and the Board is committed to continuing and indeed accelerating
the good work that he started.

'As announced at the Company's annual general meeting on 27th May, I continue to
lead the review of the business. It remains the Board's intention to present the
outcome of that review at the time of the company's interim results, which will
be announced, as planned, on 26th August. In the meantime we have no reason to
change the statement we made at the AGM regarding the outlook for the full
year.'

- Ends -

For further information, please contact:
Charles Grimaldi, Corporate Affairs Director 00 44 (0)1342 833022
Gill Ackers / Jonathan Rhodes, Brunswick Group
LLP 00 44 (0)20 7404 5959
07974 982382 / 07974 982334
Alex Mackey 07773 787458

Morning all.

Morning folks.

mornin all

Morning all.

Nothing really changed. Still in the range exploring the lows.

Did another overnight scalp on VOD and took profit this morning.
Have to be careful if I try for 3 in a row tonight.
According to the chaps in the WW1 trenches, if you take the third
light you get your head shot off.

Back to fitting the flooring. :-((

Melnibone.

Late morning report.

Lobbed AQP for +quite a bit! ;-)
Longed VER and MRS.

Lobbed PLR for a bit of a loss. Someone just doesn't like it.

Dunno why, but you don't buck the market.

Yes, strange one that - PLR.

Did'nt matter what they did the price went down(?)

Mind you most OIL & Gas are down today after BP record record profits.

Never understand why that happens.

latest last update
Platts Brent Spot Intraday Indication $39.38 26/07/04
NYMEX Henry-hub gas $5.957 26/07/04


Oh well, time to move on.

where is everybody today?

Keeping quiet!

;-)

VTI did nice later in the day. Still long.

Have a good evening all.