AFX UK at a glance share guide - 2

MARKETS
FTSE 100 4,855.6, up 28.5
FTSE 250 6,999.1, up 67.6
DJIA 10,127.40, up 56.10
Nasdaq Comp 1,932.36, up 19.44
S&P 500 1,152.80, up 6.80
Tokyo: Nikkei closed at 11,088.58, up 22.72
Hang Seng midday 13,516.57, up 72.48
Gold 432.50 usd (427.10 usd)
Oil - Brent May 52.94 usd (50.78 usd)

BREAKING NEWS
* Brown aims for more flexible economy - but refuses to state spending limits - FT
* Inflation jumped to its highest level for seven years last month as oil prices pushed up air fares - FT
* MARKS & SPENCER signs up Amazon to develop and run its internet operation as it acknowledges it has fallen behind in the race to grab a piece of the online market - FT
* Russian vodka exporter SPI Group says ALLIED DOMECQ could lose the US rights to its Stolichnaya brand if Pernod takes over the UK group - FT
* OLD MUTUAL to sell a 605 mln stg stake in its South African businesses to employees, communities and outside investors - FT
* ROYAL DUTCH/SHELL completes the first significant part of the expected 7.8 bln stg disposal of non-core assets with the sale of its 1.75 bln usd InterGen power generation business
* MG Rover losses tripled to nearly 250 mln stg last year and the group has almost no assets left, says a preliminary view by the administrator, PricewaterhouseCoopers - Telegraph
* ABBEY NATIONAL preparing to cash in on soaring demand for commercial property by selling about 1 bln stg of real estate investments - Times

PRESS COMMENT
FT
THE LEX COLUMN comments on CAIRN ENERGY (Cairn's shares offer upside potential once more), Emerging market debt, Semiconductors, General Motors - BELLWAY (undeservedly cheap) - GAME GROUP (there may be a better price at which to buy into the long-term growth story) - FENNER (at a deserved premium to the sector given its exposure to energy and growth prospects)
Express
WILLIAM MORRISON SUPERMARKETS (rehashed speculation it could be taken private) - UK COAL (gossips believe it is still being stalked by a predator willing to pay close to 200 pence a share for its property assets) - SHARE WHISPER: TIMESTRIP (suggestions its collaboration with German packaging group Crown Zeller will deliver a significant revenue boost over 18 months) - WHO'S DEALING: CANTERBURY FOODS (director buys 1.95 mln shares at 28 pence)
Independent
THE INVESTMENT COLUMN: STAGECOACH (worth holding), BELLWAY (hold), GAME GROUP (avoid) - LIBRA NATURAL RESOURCES (whispers it will soon announce an acquisition in the US and a fund raising to pay for it)
Telegraph
QUESTOR: CAIRN ENERGY (a true growth stock), CARR'S MILLING (still worth holding), GAME GROUP (avoid)
Times
DIRECTORS' DEALS: YOOMEDIA (director buys stock for 52,000 stg) - TEMPUS: CAIRN ENERGY (shareholders expect good news in the pipeline), ULSTER TELEVISION (buy), HIGHLAND GOLD MINING (avoid)
Mail
J SAINSBURY (former Asda boss Allan Leighton and 'friends', including ex-Manchester City footballer Ray Ranson, said to be putting the finishing touches to a bold near-6 bln stg bid) - BIOFUELS (hedge fund manager Martin Hughes increases his Toscafield Fund's stake to 14.8 pct)
Guardian
AEA TECHNOLOGY (bid speculation) - HYDER CONSULTING (rumours it has received an offer from its rival WS ATKIN

Morning all.

Morning all.

Morning all.

Morning - calmer waters?

Afretnoon all.
Anybody got Alkane(ALK) in the dogs drawer?
Its woken up.
mac.