Hope you are all enjoying a good weekend and are ready for the fray tomorrow.

A bit of a family tragedy here has rather upset plans, so I apologise if this is a little late this week.

I'll be around in the morning with the breaking UK news.

Happy trading!

G.

Thank you, Greystone. Sorry to hear of the family tragedy, hope things improve.
Regards, Jennifer

Thanks Greystone,

Hope things are not too traumatic......

Thanks Greystone,

Hope things are not too traumatic......

SCOTTISH & SOUTHERN ENERGY UPPED TO 'OVERWEIGHT' VS 'UNDERWEIGHT' AT JP MORGAN

SEVERN TRENT CUT TO 'NEUTRAL' VS 'OVERWEIGHT' AT JP MORGAN

Morning all.

Morning all

Thanks greystone as usual - hope things are ok at home

Greystone - sorry to hear about your family tragedy.

Good morning all.

Morning all

Looks like Moonsoon may have bucked the trend!

British fashion retailer Monsoon delivered record first-half profit and said it grew like-for-like sales 13% over the key Christmas period despite 'difficult' trading conditions.

The company, which trades under the Monsoon and Accessorize banners, grew pretax profit 32% to 27.8m in the six months to November 27th, on sales up 29% to 169m.

Sales rose 10% after stripping out the effect of new store openings.

'We are pleased with this performance,' chairman Peter Simon said in a statement.

'The benefits of the investment in our two strong brands are bearing fruit. We are not complacent as we recognise we are trading in difficult environments,' he added.

The figures follow a mixed set of trading updates from rival retailers, a number of which have reported sluggish sales over the key festive period as Britons rein in spending, prompted by higher interest rates, falling house prices and concerns over utility bills and pensions.

Monsoon shares, which are traded on London's alternative investment market, closed Friday at 242p, valuing the business at around 432m.

Thanks for all the concern. My old Mum died at the end of last week and I just found out Saturday. She was peaceful enough which is a blessing but Pop is a bit lost now. Would have been their 60th anniversary later this year. :-(

Greystone

my sincerest condolences

Greystone: It sounds as if she had a very good innings with someone who loved and needed her very much.
Don't forget your Pop still needs to feel needed a little too but I'm sure you know that.

Greystone,

I really sorry to hear your news. I presume your father is living in the UK and not near you in Spain. Hopefully he has additional family support in the UK, as you will find it very difficult to help him "long distance". Again my sincerest condolences.

Pop is being well looked after. I have a brother who lives just one street away from him. The family are making sure he is OK. It must be hard after waking up with someone every day for 60 years to find they aren't there any more....

British Energy under the cosh, as might be expected. Wish I'd thought to lay a short.... ;-)

Greystone,

May I also offer my sincerest condolences at your sad loss.

Best Regards

Stan.

Thanks everybody for making a difficult day a bit more fun for me.

Just hope TAD have something good to say in the morning so I can clear out the bottom drawer a bit... ;-)

'Night all

All the best graystone sorry to here your news.