Asian markets summary

Good morning traders!

In Asia today, the Hang Seng ended the morning down 72.51 points at 20,772.27,
while the Nikkei was recently down 16.25 points at 17,731.87.

New York Mercantile Exchange's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in
June, was up 4 cents at $61.59 a barrel from $61.55 in late trading in the US
overnight.

Happy trading!

G.

Asian economic and corporate news summary

The Thursday Press Roundup

London shares outlook - higher after Wall Street gains; BoE rate decision due

Thomson Financial UK at a glance share guide

BWNG buy - target 345 from 315 - ABN Amro
EMG reiterated overweight - target 655 from 560 - Morgan Stanley
EZJ reiterated overweight - target 745 from 800 - HSBC
FENR upgraded to add from hold - target 235 - Dresdner Kleinwort
MAB buy - target 880 from 770 - Goldman Sachs
MCB initiated buy - target 300 - Deutsche Bank
NXT buy - target 2750 - Panmure Gordon
PUB downgraded to neutral from buy - Goldman Sachs
SCTN reiterated equal-weight - target 585 from 570 - Lehman Brothers
WTB reiterated buy - target 2026 - Citigroup

Tokyo shares close slightly lower on profit-taking, ahead of options settlement

Morning all.

STOCKWATCH International Power seen lower as Q1 lands at bottom end of consensus

UK smallcap opening - Vividas gains after securing streaming deal

Tokyo shares close slightly lower on profit-taking - UPDATEUK smallcap opening - Retec Digital moves ahead on news of product development

FTSE opens modestly lowerUK smallcap opening - Matra Petroleum firmer after securing rig contract

STOCKWATCH Hammerson sharply higher on report KKR mulling bid

London shares open touch lower; BoE rate caution, miners weigh; Hammerson jumps

STOCKWATCH Vodafone reinstated 'buy' at Goldman Sachs, target 162 penceUK smallcap opening - Mariana Resources rises as it commences drillingUK smallcap opening - Pactolus up after dividend payment recommendation

UK smallcap opening - TXO lower after yesterday's profit warning

STOCKWATCH 3i up over 2 pct as FY net asset value figures beat estimates

EME 30 - 33p +4p

yesterday's "UPS" on the move up after news......


Increased interest in the Sugarloaf Project Area, ("Sugarloaf") Texas USA
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* New Agreement signed with Texas Crude Energy Inc ("TCEI") covering a
sixteen (16) well program over Block A and Block B
* New working interest on any well in the 16 well program in respect
of Block A
* Working Interest increased from 6% to 18% on any wells in the 16
well program operated by TCEI in respect of Block B

Empyrean has entered an Oil & Gas Exploration And Development
Agreement with TCEI to participate in a new sixteen (16) well
program covering two projects, "Block A" and "Block B".

In Block A, TCEI has an interest through an Operating Agreement with
a major international oil and gas company ("Block A Operator")(name
undisclosed for confidentiality purposes and to preserve and protect
competitive advantage). In Block B, TCEI is the operator and
Empyrean already has a 6% working interest in this Block via a
previous agreement and its participation in the drilling of the
Sugarloaf-1 well.

The new agreement covers the next sixteen (16) wells to be drilled
on either Block A and / or Block B. The agreement provides for
Empyrean to pay 12.5% of costs to first production to earn a working
interest of 7.5% in wells drilled on Block A and to pay 20% of costs
to first production to earn a working interest of 12% in wells
drilled on Block B. Empyrean's agreement covering a pre-existing 6%
working interest in Block B remains unchanged and is in addition to
this new agreement......

BROKER CALL - HK Hutchison Telecom growth hinges on new ventures ex-India - CLSA