NIKKEI	AUSTRALIA	SHANGHAI	HANG SENG

OUTLOOK Shell Q1 earnings dip as weak volumes outweigh margin gainsOUTLOOK ICI to report strong Q1 amid persistent bid rumoursOUTLOOK BAT Q1 seen crimped by exchange ratesOUTLOOK Unilever Q1 results hit by currency movements, one-off factorsOUTLOOK Smith & Nephew's review of profit margins key focus at Q1

Good morning traders!

In Asia today, the Hang Seng ended the morning up 228.03 points at 20,616.52,
while the Japanese markets are closed today and tomorrow for public holidays.

New York's main oil futures contract, light sweet crude for delivery in June, was
down four cents at $63.64 a barrel from $63.68 in late US trades overnight.

Happy trading!

G.

Asian economic and corporate news summary

Asian markets summary

London shares outlook - lower on profit taking, Dow at new record, results due

ARM buy - target 148 from 152 - Merrill Lynch
BSY reiterated equal-weight - target 650 from 600 - Lehman Brothers
BSY reiterated overweight - target 690 - Morgan Stanley
CSR downgraded to underweight from equal-weight - target 620 - Morgan Stanley
LII reiterated underweight - target 1195 from 1170 - HSBC
HOME reiterated neutral - target 460 from 445 - Credit Suisse
PFC downgraded to equal-weight from overweight - target 490 from 440 - Lehman Brothers
PSON downgraded to neutral from buy - target 885 - Goldman Sachs
RR. buy - target 620 - Merrill Lynch

The Thursday Press Roundup

*ICI SAYS OUTLOOK FOR Q2 REMAINS POSITIVE; FY EXPECTATIONS UNCHANGED

Morning all.

Thomson Financial UK at a glance share guide

AVZ buy - target 725 from 775 - Citigroup
BOY initiated target 315 - Lehman Brothers

Australian shares close at new record highs on Wall St lead

SCTN upgrade to buy from neutral - Goldman target 680 - Goldman Sachs

UK smallcap opening - Immupharma advances on positive Teather note

Australian shares close at new record highs on Wall St lead - UPDATEUK smallcap opening - iTrain slips on swing to FY losses

STOCKWATCH Pearson lowered to 'neutral' from 'buy' at Goldman Sachs, target 885p

STOCKWATCH Scottish & Newcastle upped to 'buy' vs 'neutral' at Goldman Sachs

FTSE opens firmly higher

UK smallcap opening - Games Workshop plunge on FY profits warning, div omission