STOCKWATCH Centrica higher as FY beat estimates, brokers positive UPDATE

STOCKWATCH Kingfisher slips as mixed trading news invites profit-taking UPDATESTOCKWATCH Carnival up; weak oil prices offset downgrade by Teather & Greenwood

London shares - mid-morning features

STOCKWATCH Carphone Warehouse higher on reports O2 pulled out of rival Phones4U

STOCKWATCH Shire downgraded to 'hold' from 'add' at WestLB, tgt to 1,100pSTOCKWATCH Drax Group up on rumours of a potential bid from venture capitalistsUS futures edge higher

UK small caps firmer midday, tracking wider gains; Fairplace up on stake change

Midday Market Roundup

Precious Metals Summary - London am fixings

Metals - Gold stays close to nine-month high as investors flood back in

London shares - midafternoon features

Metals - Copper rises as market prepares for return of Chinese players

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

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

AFX NEWS BRIEFING: Mergers and acquisitions highlights to 15:50 GMT

End-of-day Market Roundup

        JOKE OF THE DAY

A speeding motorist was caught by radar
from a police helicopter in the sky.

An officer pulled him over and began
to issue a traffic ticket.

"How did you know I was speeding?"
the frustrated driver asked.

The police officer pointed somberly
towards the sky.

"You mean," asked the motorist,
"that even He is against me?"