U.S. stocks dipped following weak third-quarter forecasts from DuPont and some retailers. Technology stocks fell back with some profit taking after recent big gains.

Next reported first-half profit above analysts' consensus forecast but said like-for-like retail sales since August 3 were almost flat on last year. Profit for the six months to July was 123.2 million pounds up from 115.8 million last year and compared to an analyst consensus forecast of 118 million pounds.

WH Smith retreated from the United States with a deal to sell its loss-making hotels and airports businesses for 49 million pounds. They said the disposals would be significantly earnings enhancing

Premier Oil which this month completed a long-awaited $670 million asset swap, reported higher first-half profits helped by surging oil and gas prices and said it was upbeat over its prospects. Operating profit for the six months rose 54 percent from a year ago to 81.1 million pounds with net profit after tax more than double from a year ago to 44 million pounds.

Alvis military vehicle maker posted higher half-year profits as international instability increased demand for light strategic transport that can handle a variety of terrains. Profits in the six months were 8.8 million pounds up from 7.9 million pounds posted a year ago.

Wm Morrison the UK's fifth largest food retailer reported interim profits in line with forecasts up 10.2 percent to 126.2 million pounds on turnover up 14.9 percent. That compared with analysts' forecasts of 125-130 million pounds. Sales growth in the five weeks to September 14 accelerated to be up 9.6 percent, better than market leader Tesco's TSCO.L half-year growth rate, revealed earlier this week. No news so ar on the Safeway bid

Cox Insurance the UK's largest motorcycle insurer said first-half operating profit before tax rose to 28.3 million pounds from 9.1 million in the same period last year.

United Kingdom  (F)inals (I)nterim	United States  (GMT)	Europe & World (GMT)
Thu 18th Sep Carnival Q3 PBT US$690m exp.Next (I) PBT 116m exp. WM Morrison (I) PBT 127.5m exp. Alvis (I), Antisoma (F), Chime Communications (I), Premier Oil (I), Venture Production (I)BPB Trading Statement 09.30 Aug Retail Sales m/m 0.1% exp. 09.30 Aug Preliminary M4 Money Supply y/y 7.3% 09.30 Aug PSNCR 2.85bn exp. 09.30 Aug CML, BBA & BSA Mortgage Lending	Nike (Q2), Palm Inc (Q2) 13.30 Initial Jobless Claims (w/e 13/09) 410k exp. 15.00 Aug Leading Indicators 0.4% exp. 17.00 Sep Philly Fed 18.0 exp. 19.00 Minutes of Aug 12th FOMC Meeting
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