Hello traders!

US stocks closed lower tonight, hit by worries about weak energy supplies and unusually cold winter weather.

The Dow was down 55.79 points at 10,755.12 at its unofficial close; the S&P 500 ended down 1.53 points at 1,255.84 and the Nasdaq Composite down 5.56 points at 2,246.45.

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

Sweet dreams!

G.

Good morning traders!

In Asia today, the Nikkei recovered much of the previous day's losses, closing up 220.69 points at 15,404.05. The Hang Seng reached the midpoint up 56.88 points at 14,936.04.

Oil prices spiked back above $61 in Asian trading hours as a cold snap chilled the northeastern US, leading to predictions of higher demand for heating oil.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for January delivery, was up 0.56 cents at $61.22 a barrel from its close of $60.66 in the US overnight.

Early broker notes:

BT UPGRADED TO 'IN-LINE' VS 'UNDERPERFORM' AT GOLDMAN SACHS
C&C GROUP UPGRADED TO 'OUTPERFORM' VS 'IN-LINE' AT GOLDMAN SACHS

Happy Friday!

G.

Investors Chronicle:

Buy while stocks last:
* WH Ireland, Woolworths, Home Entertainment, Dart Group, Fibernet, Fulmar, Davis Service, National Express, Invox, Morgan Sindall, Eleco, JJB Sports, Andor Technology

Tips:
* Buy Kingspan at 10.71 - London Merchant Securities at 240p - Datong at 133p - Debtmatters at 138p - Zambezi Nickel at 11.5p
* Sell Maiden Group at 102p
Updates:
* Buy MS International and PFI Infrastructure - SMC and Consolidated Minerals good value - Widney fairly priced

Company Results:
* Buy Brewin Dolphin - Sovereign Reversions - VP Group
* Sell Greene King - Mitchells & Butlers - Wolverhampton & Dudley.

Press

Good morning all

End-of-day Market Summary