Good morning traders!

In Asia, the Hang Seng closed the morning down 179.68 points at 16,125.80, while the Nikkei was recently down 189.27 points at 14,908.68.

The Bank of Japan raised the overnight call rate target to 0.25% from zero. But the central bank said that it will keep interest rates at 'very low' levels for the time being. This is the first rise in six years.

New York's main oil contract, light sweet crude for delivery in August, was quoted at $77.95 per barrel, up $1.25 from its most recent settlement of $76.70 in New York. In after hours trading on Nymex the contract hit a fresh record of $78.40 before some profit taking saw it edge back.

Early broker notes:

BIG YELLOW INITIATED 'OVERWEIGHT' AT JP MORGAN; PRICE TARGET 490P

Happy Friday!

G.

Any point getting up today?

No!!!!!!!!

Porky, may I be excused then?

Midday Market Summary

End-of-day Market Summary

DOW down another 107, looking decidedly dodgy imo.