Barclays, the UK’s third-largest bank, is among banks to have borrowed under the Bank of England’s emergency facility on Monday, it emerged on Tuesday night. Barclays is thought to have taken out a £312m loan after another large bank missed a scheduled payment. It is not unusual for banks to use the BoE’s facility. However, investors are closely monitoring the facility for signs of distress in the banking sector, which has been hit by a crisis of confidence that has cast doubt on banks’ access to short-term funding.

As Barclays, among others, uses BoE facility

TFN economic and business calendar

Thomson Financial Europe AM at a glance share guide: Shares, oil trade mixed

Good morning traders!

In Asia today, the Hang Seng ended the morning up 290.99 points at 22,020.34,
while the Nikkei was recently ahead 2.3 points at 15,903.64.

Crude oil for October delivery, which became the lead-month contract today, rose
18 cents to $69.75 a barrel, compared with its close at $69.57 a barrel on the New
York Mercantile Exchange Tuesday.

Happy trading!

G.

The Wednesday Press RoundupTFN UK calendar and forecasts for today

BROKERWATCH Reuters upped to 'buy' from 'hold' at Deutsche Bank; tgt 740p vs 650London shares outlook - flat, as investors digest a mixed day on Wall Street

First Day of Dealings

Thomson Financial UK at a glance share guide

STOCKWATCH BHP Billiton FY earnings, outlook statement pleasesBROKERWATCH Kesa upgraded to 'equal-weight' from 'underweight' at Morgan Stanley

BROKERWATCH Pearson cut to 'hold' vs 'buy' at Deutsche Bank; target 915p vs 930Tokyo shares close flat as investors await outcome of BoJ meeting

STOCKWATCH Bayer seen underpinned by report could re-enter Stoxx50 index

Australian shares close firmer for 3rd straight session but off highs

UK smallcap opening - Xploite ticks up on talk of Camelot jv

UK smallcap opening - In House edges up on property divestment

Australian shares close firmer for 3rd straight session but off highs - UPDATEUK smallcap opening - iSoft advances as board considers IBA's revised offer

UK smallcap opening - Galleon Holdings up on 'Skunk Fu!' sale

London shares open higher as miners fuel gains after BHP Billiton's strong FY

UK smallcap opening - Secure Design higher on Sanyo fingerprint project

UK smallcap opening - Sunrise Diamonds harden on chairman's share buying

STOCKWATCH BHP Billiton firmer as FY profit at new record, Numis keeps at 'add'