AFX NEWS BRIEFING: Macroeconomics highlights to 10:10 GMT

British Energy gains on reports of European tie-ups, Q3 optimism

US futures drift lower

Reed Elsevier firmer, Morgan Stanley ups target to 610 pence vs 560

Midday Market Roundup

UK small caps weak, at day's lows midday; Hardide down as Proventec sells stake

Amsterdam shares down midday as lower US futures announce negative Wall St open

Precious Metals Summary - London am fixings

WALL STREET OUTLOOK Little changed as oil prices fall; Apple gains on upgrade

Metals - Copper edges lower as traders focus on rising inventories

        LUNCH TIME FUN

TMAN - Mid 73.5p

Reason - One of the new oil companies floated recently @ 76p with production its main assets in the Timan-Pechora region of Western Russia and the Caspian basin floated at 76p last Friday was moving higher and again today after the profit taking and below floating price

London shares - midafternoon features

AFX NEWS BRIEFING: TMT highlights to 15:40 GMTAFX NEWS BRIEFING: Pharmaceuticals and chemicals highlights to 15:40 GMTAFX NEWS BRIEFING: Aerospace and transportation highlights to 15:40 GMT

AFX NEWS BRIEFING: Mergers and acquisitions highlights to 15:50 GMTAFX NEWS BRIEFING: Oil and utilities highlights to 15:45 GMTAFX NEWS BRIEFING: Consumer and retailing highlights to 15:45 GMTAFX NEWS BRIEFING: Banking and insurance highlights to 15:45 GMT

End-of-day Market Roundup

        JOKE OF THE DAY

A man ran into his doctor's office one day, all excited.

The nurse asked him what was the matter.

"I have something wrong with my pecker," replied the man.

The nurse told him that he couldn't enter the office
yelling things about his private parts & requested
that he go back outside, enter the office again & say
he had something wrong with, say, his ear.

The patient went outside and returned.
"I have something wrong with my ear."

"And what exactly is wrong with it?"

"I can't piss out of it," came the man's reply.