Ratings agencies Standard & Poor's and Moodys are among 49 companies which have become embroiled in legal action in the wake of the credit crisis.
Shareholdersact against ratings agencies

Over the last week prospects for the world economy seem to have slipped again. Money markets are intensely jittery and equity markets have started to register the potential for a severe knock to corporate earnings. Could things get still worse? Could we be on the brink of a severe downturn or even a recession?
Consumer spending key to averting recession

House prices fell this month at the fastest rate since July 2005 as the number of new buyers declined more swiftly even than the faltering supply of homes for sale.
House prices in Britain tumble at fastest rate since 2005

Britain could be heading for a United States-style mortgage crisis as almost one and a half million people see their mortgage repayments rocket by 140 a month next year, a report out today says.
Soaring repayments could lead to mortgage crisis for Britons

Schroders, one of the UK's leading managers of commercial property investments, yesterday wiped 12.5 per cent off the value of units in its flagship 2bn fund, amid growing fears of a collapse in the sector.
Fund managers raise exit penalties to prevent property collapse

Europe isn't strong enough to prop up the global economy as the US slowdown takes hold which is where the Asian savings glut comes in.
Get ready for the rise of Chinese shareholders

Investors will be on the lookout for any sign of trouble from Barclays as it issues its second trading statement of the month tomorrow.
The Week Ahead: Take two... It's crunch time (again) at Barclays

NIKKEI	AUSTRALIA	SHANGHAI	HANG SENG

Good morning traders!

In Asia today, the Nikkei closed up 246.44 points at 15,135.21, while the Hang
Seng ended the morning up 1,061.62 points at 27,602.71.

New York's main oil contract, light sweet crude for January delivery, was up 34
cents at $98.52 a barrel from $98.18 in late US trading Friday.

Happy trading!

G.

OUTLOOK - UK companies results for 2 weeks to Dec 7OUTLOOK Rio Tinto seen using investor seminar to outline M&A defence strategyTokyo shares close sharply higher on China's investment plansTFN UK calendar and forecasts for todayAustralian shares close higher after investors endorse election result - UPDATETFN economic and business calendar to Friday Dec 7Australian shares close higher after investors endorse federal election result

Thomson Financial UK at a glance share guide weekend

London shares outlook - Higher with strong NY advance Friday; takeover chatter

The Monday Press RoundupThomson Financial UK at a glance share guide

BROKERWATCH AstraZeneca cut to 'sell' from 'reduce' at Dresdner Kleinwort

BROKERWATCH Capita upgraded to 'buy' from 'neutral' at UBS, target 800 pence

BROKERWATCH Air France-KLM upgraded to 'buy' from 'hold' at CitigroupTokyo shares close sharply higher on China's reported investment plans - UPDATE

BROKERWATCH Premier Oil cut to 'neutral', E&P price targets cut at Credit SuisseBROKERWATCH National Grid upped to 'overweight' from 'equal-weight' by Lehman

BROKERWATCH Kelda upgraded to 'equal-weight' vs 'underweight' at Lehman BrothersBROKERWATCH United Utilities upgraded to 'equal weight' at Lehman Brothers

FTSE opens modestly higher

UK smallcap opening - Patagonia Gold up on 'very encouraging' drilling results

London shares open higher with strong NY advance Friday; takeover chatterUK smallcap opening - Spectrum Interactive up as trading beats forecasts

UK smallcap opening - Commoditrade higher after co terminates bid talks

BROKERWATCH Reed Elsevier upgraded to 'buy' from 'neutral' at Goldman SachsUK smallcap opening - Griffin Mining lower as trading statement disappoints

UK smallcap opening - Fulcrum Pharma up after prelim results

UK smallcap opening - Earthport falls as pretax loss widens

UK smallcap opening - Cubus Lux rises; says optimistic about future