S&P Futures

Dow closes at highest level in more than 2.5 years as investors cheer Greenspan's views

Unilever said its 2003 net profit had come in at 4.277 billion euros at the higher end of analysts' expectations, who had predicted a 2003 profit ranging between 3.531 billion and 4.288 billion euros. Niall FitzGerald will retire as chairman 

Barclays bank said on Thursday that full-year profit rose 20 percent to 3.845 billion pounds, matching analysts' expectations, boosted by growth at its investment banking business.

Rolls-Royce posted an 11.8 percent rise in profit to 285 million pounds beating forecasts of 271.75 million pounds. It said it expected to increase earnings in 2004 despite some challenging markets.

BT reported a 7% rise in Q3 earnings near the top end of forecasts, on a 2.6 percent decline in revenues. Underlying earnings per share rose to 4.4 pence for the three months with analysts forecasts at 4.3p.

lastminute.com posted a narrowing first-quarter loss, and said the second quarter had started well.

Centrica reported a 10.5% rise in annual earnings that met market forecasts, helped by strong growth at its North American operations. EPS rose to 16.8 pence from 15.2 pence, analysts had forecast of 16.9 pence.

Marconi said its Q3 loss widened slightly but that sales were still recovering. Its operating loss rose to 66 million pounds from 62 million and sales fell 11 percent to 408 million pounds

Glaxo, later.

Alumasc (I), BT (Q3),  McBride Scottish & Newcastle (8 mths & 12 mths)

Barclays (F), Centrica (F), GlaxoSmithKline (F) London Bridge Software (F), Marconi Corp (F) Pendragon (F), Rolls-Royce (F), Unilever (Q4) , LastMinute.comBrewin Dolphin (AGM), Mitchells & Butlers (AGM)Q4 housebuilding data (09:00) Q4 ODPM housebuilding stats (09:00)

Analog Devices (Q1) Dell Computer (Q4) Safeway (Q4) NVIDIA (Q4)

13:30 Business Inventories 13:30 Initial Claims 13:30 Retail Sales 13:30 Retail Sales ex-auto

7.00pm Treasury Budget

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