TFN UK calendar and forecasts for today

Morning all. Market reports:

The Times
The Times (Need to know)
FT
The Guardian
The Independent
This is Money

UBS, the Swiss bank buckling under SFr37bn (18bn) of credit crunch write-downs, has launched a SFr16bn cash call to shore up its battered balance sheet.
UBS launches 7bn cash call at big discount

Allianz and Commerzbank have joined forces with a view to a possible bid for Deutsche Postbank, Germanys largest retail bank. Allianz, the insurance group that owns Dresdner, Germanys third-largest bank, has held detailed discussions with Commerzbank about a combined offer for Postbank, which is expected to be put up for sale by Deutsche Post, its majority owner.
Allianz, Commerzbank eye bid for Postbank

The oil price soared to a record for the third day in a row yesterday, reaching $135 a barrel, more than double the price a year ago. The surging cost of crude is increasing the pressure on petrol and diesel prices and led yesterday to renewed calls for the government to scrap planned rises in fuel duty.
Producers say $200 oil is possible as prices hit record three days running

The number of commercial property loans in default has soared 400pc in just 12 months, according to a report due to be published today.
Defaults on commercial property loans surge 400pc

Riots, protests and political unrest could multiply in the developing world as soaring inflation widens the gap between the "haves" and the "have nots", an investment bank predicted yesterday. Economists at Merrill Lynch view inflation as an "accident waiting to happen". As prices for food and commodities surge, the bank expects global inflation to rise from 3.5% to 4.9% this year. In emerging markets, the average rate is to be 7.3%.
Surging inflation will stoke riots and conflict between nations, says report

The official figures on retail sales are providing a far rosier picture than reality, economists have warned after the Office for National Statistics reported that sales are still holding up far better than expected.
UK retail sales figures 'too rosy', economists warn

London shares outlook - flat, after Wall Street edges up; Marston's reports

NIKKEI 225	AUSTRALIA ASX200	SHANGHAI	HANG SENG

The Friday Press Roundup

09:30 UK GDP Q1 (consensus 0.4% QoQ 2.5% YoY)
15:00 US Existing Home Sales April (consensus 4.85M, MoM -1.6%)

Thomson Financial UK at a glance share guide

Tokyo shares close mixed after Wall St rebound; Nikkei back at 14,000

BROKERWATCH Sainsbury upped to 'buy' from 'hold' at ABN Amro; target 440 penceAustralian shares close lower on inflation worry

UK smallcap opening - Turftrax rallies after pre-float backer sells stock

UK smallcap opening - Rift Oil ticks up on out of court settlement

London shares open mixed after US edges up; Asia mixed

UK smallcap opening - Mano River up on Severstal agreementAustralian shares close lower on inflation worry - UPDATE

BROKERWATCH Royal Caribbean Cruises cut to 'equal-weight' by Morgan Stanley

Tokyo shares close mixed after Wall St rebound; Nikkei back at 14,000 - UPDATEUK smallcap opening - Energy technique gains after FY results

UK smallcap opening - Styles & Wood crash on profit warning and MBO termination

long, spread bet, EXPN at 395.5p for few %age.

UK smallcap opening - LSL Property slides on Estate Agency warning

UK smallcap opening - Oak adrift on financing move

STOCKWATCH Polish Barlinek down after report of 200 mln zloty share issue