TOKYO, Japan (AP) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose year-old government has suffered a string of damaging scandals and a humiliating electoral defeat, has told ruling party leaders he intends to resign, news reports said Wednesday.

Reports: Abe says he wants to quit

Good morning traders!

In Asia today, the Hang Seng was up 224.15 points at 24,176.39, while the Nikkei
slumped 146.03 points to 15,731.64 following news that the Japanese Prime
Minister, Abe, has resigned.

Crude oil for October delivery added three cents at $78.26 a barrel Wednesday,
after closing at a record $78.23 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange
Tuesday.

Happy trading!

G.

TFN UK calendar and forecasts for today

London shares outlook - Easier; pause for breath after strong gains yesterday

The Wednesday Press Roundup

BROKERWATCH Citigroup cautious in review of advertising agenciesThomson Financial UK at a glance share guide

BROKERWATCH British Energy upped to 'equal-weight' by Morgan Stanley

UK smallcap opening - Pan Andean rises on positive drilling report

Tokyo shares close lower after Prime Minister Abe resigns

UK smallcap opening - Kefi Minerals up on gold discovery at Artvin project

STOCKWATCH Home Retail Group up post Q2; Seymour Pierce repeats 'underperform'

STOCKWATCH ITV down, post mixed strategy review; UBS keep 'sell', tgt 100pAustralian shares close lower on concerns over US economy, financial marketsUK smallcap opening - Communisis climbs on recovery hopes; interims

Good morning all

Yesterday's "UPS" is on the move

GGG 11.25 -11.50p +0.875p
Rumour of a large buyer in the market looking to buy 2.5million
The Rumour can be a bit of a true thing, as the marked up is going on.
Other true comments are the MMs are phoning clients with stakes asking for stock

Tokyo shares close lower after Prime Minister Abe resigns - UPDATEUK smallcap opening - Costain runs back as cash call move confirmed

Australian shares close lower on uncertainty about global markets - UPDATE

Posted on yesterday's thread - must have been half asleep. Anyway, have re-opened FTSE shorts @ 6265, 6275 and now 6285 ...... looking for 6180ish - but might bottle it before then - or blow it if it goes beyond 6300. Stops in @ 6315.

UK smallcap opening - Michelmersh Brick higher on swing to H1 profits

UK smallcap opening - Renovo firms on positive trial results

UK smallcap opening - DermaSalve moves ahead on Bounty Health agreement

STOCKWATCH Glaxo down over Avandia concerns; HSBC keeps 'neutral, 1,340p tgt