Good morning traders!

In Asia today, the Nikkei ended the morning session up 134.21 points at 17,162.62,
while the Hang Seng was recently up 145.99 points at 19,955.70.

Light, sweet crude for May delivery rose 7 cents to settle at $65.94 a barrel on
Nymex, ending slightly below a six-month settlement high of $66.03 reached last
Thursday.

Happy trading!

G.

Sorry to hear that Kyoto. You will be missed.
Our best wishes of course...........

Also sorry to hear your news, Kyoto.

Although I don't post often, I always appreciate your contributions.

Thanks for the messages. After a long day here I've unexpectedly stumbled into a (love!) hotel this evening which has an Internet connected computer in the room. As I've got a USB key with my stuff on I'll have a go at getting it running (this is after I've removed 110 spyware programs from the hard disk!)

STOCKWATCH Finmeccanica downgraded to 'neutral' at JP Morgan on valuationSTOCKWATCH CSR initiated as 'equal weight' by Morgan Stanley, target 620 penceSTOCKWATCH Cadbury Schweppes upped to 'neutral' at JP Morgan ahead of break-upUK smallcap opening - Afren higher after Nigerian govt OK for Okoro Setu projectUK smallcap opening - VI group up on bumper FY resultsUK smallcap opening - Screen FX up on Land Securities contractLondon shares open firmer, Scottish & Southern surges on renewed bid hopesUK smallcap opening - Robotic Technology adrift on H1 warningFTSE opens firmly higher

UK smallcap opening - Arc perks up on license deal

UK small caps open firmer, with Screen FX gaining on contract news

AFX NEWS BRIEFING: TMT highlights to 09:10 BSTAFX NEWS BRIEFING: Pharmaceuticals and chemicals highlights to 09:10 BSTAFX NEWS BRIEFING: Aerospace and transportation highlights to 09:10 BST

AFX NEWS BRIEFING: Oil and utilities highlights to 09:15 BSTAFX NEWS BRIEFING: Consumer and retailing highlights to 09:15 BSTAFX NEWS BRIEFING: Banking and insurance highlights to 09:15 BST

AFX NEWS BRIEFING: Mergers and acquisitions highlights to 09:20 BST

STOCKWATCH Severn Trent gains on 'much improved' trading update, job cuts

Metals - LME inventory data (Tuesday)

STOCKWATCH Scottish & Southern Energy up on takeover speculation after E.ON newsAFX NEWS BRIEFING: Macroeconomics highlights to 10:10 BST

Asian bourse roundup

Metals - Gold steady on tensions with Iran, strong oil prices

US futures advance

Metals - Gold steady on tensions with Iran, strong oil prices UPDATE

Midday Market Roundup

UK small caps remain firmer at midday, with Screen FX up on contract news

WALL STREET OUTLOOK Firmer, extending gains Monday; autos in focus on sales news