PRESS DIGEST - Washington Post Business - Dec. 18PRESS DIGEST - Washington Post - Dec. 18

PRESS DIGEST - Wall Street Journal - Dec 18

Good morning traders!

In Asia today, the Nikkei climbed 54.71 points to 8,667.23, while the Hang Seng
ended the morning down 133.93 points at 15,326.59.

Happy trading!

G.

Morning all. Market reports:

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

Deutsche Bank has refused to redeem a bond issue in an unprecedented move that has rattled Europe's credit markets and cut short the relief rally following America's dramatic move to zero rates.
Fresh credit strains in Europe as Deutsche Bank shocks markets

Sterling tumbled to a new low against the euro today after it emerged that the Bank of England discussed making a steeper interest rate cut while analysts suggested the UK will follow the US Federal Reserve by making a sharp reduction to borrowing costs.
Pound dives on prospect of steep UK rate cut

Opec ministers today surprised the oil markets by agreeing to slash production more deeply than expected in a desperate bid to push up the oil price.
Opec surprises with cut of 2.2m barrels a day

After the announcement, the price of a barrel of benchmark US crude quickly dropped to a low of $40.20, its weakest level in four and a half years.
Big cut in Opec oil production fails to stop prices falling to 4-year low

David Riley, Fitchs global head of sovereign ratings, argues that the risk of multiple economic and financial crises across emerging markets is now greater than at any time since the Asian Crisis of 1997-98?, with the greatest threat to Central and Eastern Europe.
Fitch warns on emerging markets, says risk of crises growing

UK at a Glance-UK Stocks -- Factors to watch on Dec 18

NIKKEI 225	AUSTRALIA ASX200	SHANGHAI	HANG SENG

KOSPI	VIX

The Thursday Press Roundup

PRESS DIGEST - New York Times business news - Dec 18

PRESS DIGEST - Bulgaria - Dec 18

Glance-STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Leoni seen down after Goldman downgrade

Glance-STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Retailers fall after Carrefour profit warning

PRESS DIGEST - Russia - Dec 18

Glance-STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-UK Small Caps gain 0.2 percent early

Glance-STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Analytik Jena up on FY resultsGlance-STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Petrofac up after sees in-line 2008

Glance-STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Dip in early trade as oils, Carrefour fall

Glance-STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Gea Group down; Credit Suisse initiates

End-of-day Market Overview