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S&P &Futures (Click for latest)

Hang Seng +32

Nikkei +16.5

News Headlines:    US Markets close at 1 p.m. ET Thursday and will be closed Friday as well, due to the Fourth of July holiday. Volume is expected to be particularly light Thursday as many Wall Streeter's leave early to start the long weekend. Today buyers were again in charge after the market responded to a Microsoft upgrade and some solid economic news. KLM airline reported load figures worse than expected following the SARS outbreak.They said that passenger traffic was 9% lower in June on year.

Somerfield: Gareth Jones, a former non-executive director was in talks with venture capitalists about mounting a bid for the British food retailer, the Times newspaper said on Thursday in an unsourced report.

HSBC says it will axe 1,400 jobs in Britain to keep a tight rein on costs because of a subdued economic environment, but hoped to avoid compulsory redundancies

Greene King:  said that in the year profit rose 8% to 75.0 million. The company has had a positive start to the new financial year, with all three divisions reporting increases on last year, The principal retail brands continue to perform strongly and the beer brands are continuing their volume and market share advances.

Cookson: Electronics and ceramics engineer issues a trading update around 13:30. The firm in April said the "knock-on impact" on its markets from SARS and the Iraq war was uncertain.

British Airways: Update due out lunchtime today so could fall with nervousness following the poor KLM numbers

Arriva:announced that trading for the six month period ended 30 June 2003 has continued in line with expectations

Cordiant: A mysterious woman purchased a two percent stake in the firm at a price well above the bid submitted by WPP

Sage Group was supported by vague talk that it could be a takeover target and hopes for a recovery in the technology sector

Wimpey & RMC, Very strong buyng on the 2 companies, keep your eyes on them!

Calendar All GMT	United Kingdom (F)inals (I)nterim	United States (Click Flag)	Europe & World
Thu 3rd July	Greene King (F) PBT 74.6m exp.Cookson Trading Statement British Airways Update Arriva Update 00.00 May BRC Shop Price index 09.30 May New Construction Orders 09.30 May CIPS Services PMI 52.3 exp.	13.30 June Non-Farm Payrolls 9k exp. 13.30 Initial Jobless Claims (w/e 28/06) 415k exp. 15.00 June Non-Manufacturing ISM 55.0 exp.	10.00 EMU April Retail Trade m/m 0.6% exp.
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