Good morning traders!

In the US last night, encouraging economic data and increased M&A activity was enough to offset mixed earnings news. Nervousness ahead of Fed Chairman Greenspan's semi-annual testimony on monetary policy today erased much of the day's gains, but the indices showed enough resilience to close on an upbeat note

The Dow ended 46.19 points better at 10,837.32 with the Nasdaq 6.3 points higher at 2,089.21 and the S&P500 3.98 points stronger at 1,210.12.

Lacklustre trading in Asia this morning sees the Hang Seng a little ahead but the Nikkei slipping.

Back with UK news in a moment.

Happy trading!

G.

morning all

BG GROUP DOWNGRADED TO 'NEUTRAL' FROM 'OUTPERFORM' BY CSFB

SMITHS GROUP TO BUY IRELAND'S FARRAN TECHNOLOGY FOR INITIAL 19 MLN EUR IN CASH

ICI UPPED TO 'HOLD' BY CITIGROUP SMITH BARNEY, TARGET LIFTED TO 300P FROM 200

Morning punters!

DSC - redeveloping site in Huyton. It'll get nicked. ;-)
http://www.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200502160700026362I.html

PRU - more Chinese lives
http://www.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200502160700026383I.html

DOO - biodiesel for Saudi. Been watching this little outfit this week
http://www.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200502160700046411I.html

BBY - contract
http://www.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200502160700046490I.html

BUR - 2 license blocks in Egypt
http://www.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200502160700056493I.html

ANK - Microsoft deal for recent listing. Might move? ;-)
http://www.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200502160700066514I.html

NVU - Panasonic deal in Holland. Results to be in line
http://www.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200502160700086519I.html

SMIN - Acquisition. Very interesting area - long term winner?
http://www.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200502160700086528I.html

RM. - PFI contract
http://www.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200502160700106536I.html

IRN - interesting tiddler in need of a boost
http://www.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200502160700116542I.html

WNL - this is a seat of the pants job, if ever I heard one. Must admit Sudan doesn't sound inviting
http://www.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200502160700126555I.html

CRA - results look OK with losses less than expected
http://www.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200502160700126554I.html

ADC - raising cash in placing. Nice chart if she blows
http://www.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/20050216070022M9653.html

MYW - offer agred at 170p. Seems like this was known 3 days ago
http://www.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200502160700266585I.html

MEG - that's an awful lot of shares being placed compared to number in issue
http://www.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200502160706506590I.html

xd effect on FTSE early, but then what? Might run a short filter today - haven't done that in months.

Have a good one!

Good morning all from a sunny and cold North Wales.

Morning Druid, at least you have the sun!!
RNK reported to be splitting up.

Druid - Weather much the same here. Be lucky to see double figures today.

Morning all,druid & frosty.

Afternoon all - came home to use the internet! No internet at work. BT broadband say its the router - and our IT say its BT!

I'm unlikely to be able to log in again today ............

Every decision I made today went askew somehow. Roll on tomorrow...

Hello folks, trying this site...

Are we mostly expecting the markets to tumble a bit ?

They have risen a lot... and showing the jitters...

Stick around and see, Munnie.

Agree the market is looking a bit stretched, but not short yet.

Actually, over at ADVFN their charts can produce jamups, using Windows XP...

so thought I'd try MoneyAM .... will try charts...

EDIT: Nice & FAST :-)

Munnie

I hang around over the road too, but things often get too heated. I find things a bit more civil here and if you visit the Traders' Room, the same thread attracts quite a few more.

welcome, anyway.

Al

Yes... it seems nicer here, and much faster..
ADVFN is so cumbersome and slow... (and some thread-wreckers too)

Very good board this,thankyou.The DAX shook yesterday as a result of the "explosion" near a nuclear facility in Iran.Brought it home to me how vulnerable the stock markets still are to political events:i.e. Bush and Condoleeza's ambitions to converting the rest of the world to their way of thinking.The Tsunamis had little effect on the market,we have become increasingly accustomed to carnage and horror in the last few years,but have still to experience the worst IMO.After the good Dec.-Feb. rally I expect a tumble.Hope I'm proved wrong!!!Ethel