S&P Futures

U.S. stock markets closed higher with gains in technology despite caution ahead of the testimony by Alan Greenspan on Wednesday

Reckitt Benckiser household goods reported 2003 final profits rose 20% of 489 million pounds ust above analyst forecasts of 472-486 million pounds, For 2004 they set targets of five percent plus growth for sales and low double-digit percent growth in profits,

BSkyB misses analysts forecasts but as expected announced but it would pay its first interim dividend of 2.75 pence. The spread beaters are forecasting +5p at the open but could quickly drop!

BAA airports reported a 4.8 percent rise to 9.3 million passengers meeting its its projections in January despite weather disruptions and tighter security. Its seven British airports ,Yell Group telephone directories publisher reported a 10.8% rise in nine-month earnings and said it was on track to meet year expectations. hmmm

Liberty International shopping centre chain owner, said its Chairman Donald Gordon would step down by mid-2005, after months of speculation about his future. The company posted a 13.5% rise to 906 pence-per-share above the market consensus.

BP said it spent about 32 million pounds buying back 7.7 million sharesshares yesterday propping up the share price!

Antisoma (I), British Sky Broadcasting Group (I) Scott Tod (I), Yell (Q3) Electric Word (F), Liberty International (F), Reckitt Benckiser (F)

Countryside Properties (AGM), United Drug (AGM) Safeway (EGM), BAA (January) Traffic FiguresJan/Dec labour market report (09:30) BoE quarterly inflation report (1030)

Coca-Cola (Q4) The Walt Disney (Q1)  

Douglas Holding (Q1) Elmos Semiconductor A AWD

Ex Dividend: CD Bramall 7p, Daejan Holdings 22p. Grainger Trust 12.8p, Mentmore 0.445p, Sage 1.095, SPW 4.75p, SGC 0.9p.

Croc@SnappyTrader.com  WWW.SnappyTrader.com