morning all. Greystone is a way for a couple of weeks so Ian is the stand in. Treat him nice and gently, he had his stag do over the weekend:-)

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=906654Outlook

AFX UK at a glance share guide - 3

MARKETS
Tokyo: Nikkei midday 11,649.07 down 117.41
Hang Seng midday 15,078.14 up 26.82

BREAKING NEWS - MONDAY
* Maersk in talks for North Sea assets of Kerr-McGee - FT
* Citigroup planning an aggressive programme of bank acquisitions in growth markets in Asia, Latin America and eastern Europe after the regulatory ban stopping it making big purchases is lifted next year - FT
* Oil demand fuels growth of storage sector - FT
* AIG and Spitzer set to settle for less than Marsh & McLennan paid out - FT
* MARKS & SPENCER to cash in as Littlewoods disappears - Guardian

MONDAY PRESS COMMENT
FT
THE LEX COLUMN comments on the FTSE plans to introduce "fundamental indices", Enron litigation, Indian pharma
Independent
Small Talk: Michael Jivkov comments on EASIER, MKM (today will see it unveil a much-needed fund raising)

Barclays PLC has been upgraded to 'buy' from 'hold' at Deutsche Bank, with an increased price target of 640 pence from 600, dealers said.
Deutsche noted that last week Barclays reported profits and EPS ahead of its expectations. Deutsche's 2005 EPS forecast is unchanged at 51.6 pence, with 2006 increased by 5 pct to 58.8 pence, largely reflecting the earnings accretion from the ABSA deal.
Whilst Deutsche thinks the second half momentum will be difficult for UK Retail, Barclays Capital and Barclaycard in particular, the broker also said it expects earnings growth in Barclays to accelerate in 2006 and 2007, forecasting 14 pct and 11 pct in each year.

DAN...breakout?

Morning chaps!

Afternoon sb..time flies.