Morning all. Market reports:

Telegraph
The Times
The Times (Need to know)
FT
The Independent
The Guardian
This is Money

Consumer expectations in America have plummeted to their lowest level since the Watergate crisis and the oil embargo in 1973, while US house prices are now falling at the fastest pace since records began.
US consumer optimism at Watergate low

More than 20,000 people are forecast to lose their jobs on Wall Street as the credit crunch bites into business at financial institutions over the next two years.
20,000 Wall Street jobs at risk

JP Morgan's raised offer of $1.2bn (600m) for collapsed Wall Street bank Bear Stearns is facing legal challenges from investors who complain the board is using a legal loophole to coerce them into agreeing to a hasty sale.
Investors threaten to block big share issue

Wall Street pulled $10.4 billion (5.19 billion) of cash and other highly liquid assets out of Bear Stearns in a single day this month, leaving it with only $2 billion and forcing the stricken securities firm to approach JPMorgan Chase in desperation, it emerged yesterday.
The day Wall Street pulled $10bn from Bear Stearns and forced sale

Citigroup has called for radical measures to end Britain's financial crisis, rebuking the Bank of England for moving too slowly to meet liquidity needs and waiting too long to head off an economic downturn.
Citigroup slams BoE for risking damage to real economy

Activity in the UK housing market is set to fall to its lowest level in more than 30 years, according to a leading estate agent.
UK housing market 'set for 30-year low'

Vales $90 billion (45 billion) takeover approach to Xstrata, its fellow miner, has collapsed. The Brazilian group was unable to reach a deal with Xstrata and its largest shareholder Glencore, the Swiss commodities trader, and, after months of talks, both sides have walked away.
Xstrata-Vale deal collapses as discussions hit stalemate

Fears that BP had become the latest victim of an ongoing power struggle between the Kremlin and Western energy groups were compounded when the Russian Interior Ministry said that it had launched a criminal investigation into allegations of large-scale tax evasion at a former unit of TNK-BP.
BP suspends 148 workers over visa dispute with Russia

NIKKEI 225	AUSTRALIA ASX200	SHANGHAI	HANG SENG

Good morning traders!

In Asia today, at the midpoint, the Hang Seng was up 156.42 points at 22,620.94,
while the Nikkei was recently down 109.97 points at 12,635.25.

New York's main oil contract, light sweet crude for delivery in May, rose 55 cents
to $101.77 per barrel.

Happy trading!

G.

OUTLOOK Sainsbury to report 3.5-4 pct Q4 underlying sales growthTokyo shares close lower on profit taking, firmer yenTFN UK calendar and forecasts for todayAustralian shares close higher on gains in resources sector - UPDATETFN economic and business calendar

The Wednesday Press Roundup

London shares outlook - Weaker after DJIA falls; Asia mixed; miners in focus

Thomson Financial UK at a glance share guide

Tokyo shares close lower on profit taking, firmer yen - UPDATE

STOCKWATCH Xstrata set to fall as Vale pulls out of bid talks

BROKERWATCH Morgan Stanley cuts price targets on European pharmaceutical stocks

UK smallcap opening - Motive TV climbs on four new orders

UK smallcap opening - Henderson Morley up on second collaborative deal

UK smallcap opening - Robotic Technology up after FY results, special div

London shares open weaker after DJIA falls; Xstrata top FTSE 100 faller

STOCKWATCH Sainsbury up 3 pct on forecast-beating Q4 sales, joint venture newsUK smallcap opening - Range Resources up on increased exploration activityUK smallcap opening - SMC leaps in wake of upbeat update

UK smallcap opening - Angus & Ross ticks up on Black Angel licence news

UK smallcap opening - CybIT higher on contract news

UK smallcap opening - Metal-Tech plunges on FY warning

STOCKWATCH Sainsbury up 4 pct on forecast-beating Q4 sales, joint venture UPDATE

Metals - Gold up on dollar weakness, higher prices expected after dip last week