Hello traders!

In the US tonight, the Dow was up 19.59 points at 13,778.65, while the S&P500
slipped 0.51 points at 1,517.22 and the Nasdaq Composite was ahead 15.5 points
at 2,683.45.

See you in the morning with the latest......

G.

Morning all. Market reports:

Telegraph
The Times
The Times (Need to know)
FT
The Guardian
The Independent
This is Money

Seven of the worlds leading credit-ratings agencies have fallen under the regulatory auspices of the US Securities and Exchange Commission as part of the clampdown on the sector.

SEC reveals clampdown on ratings agencies

Consumer confidence slumped to the lowest level in almost two years and home prices scored their worst performance in 16 years, threatening US household spending, spurring talk of recession and prompting calls for the Federal Reserve to keep cutting interest rates. The Conference Board's index of consumer confidence fell more than forecast in September, to 99.8 from 105.6.

Steepest fall in US house prices in 16 years fuels fears of recession

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - The Hong Kong stock market's benchmark Hang Seng index is expected to rise to at least 28,000 points and may even hit 35,000 next year, UBS (NYSE:UBS) said. UBS said in a report that 39 of the 40 Hang Seng Index component stocks have announced their latest results and most have surprised on the upside.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index may rise to 35,000 points next year - UBS
China may be conducting stealth attack on Hong Kongs exchange

NIKKEI	AUSTRALIA	SHANGHAI	HANG SENG

Good morning traders!

In Asia today, the Nikkei ended the morning down 1.77 points at 16,399.96.

New York's main oil contract, light sweet crude for November delivery, was 22
cents higher at $79.75 a barrel from $79.53 in late US trades Tuesday where it had
dropped $1.42.

Happy trading!

G.

OUTLOOK Kesa Electricals H1 pretax profit seen lowerOUTLOOK Smiths Group FY profits to edge up amid company turmoilOUTLOOK Dairy Crest H1 boosted by strong performances from key brandsTFN economic and business calendar

Thomson Financial Europe AM at a glance share guide: stocks mixed; oil lower

TFN UK calendar and forecasts for today

The Wednesday Press Roundup

*KESA ELECTRICALS SAYS ECONOMIC OUTLOOK IN EUROPE UNCERTAIN IN H2

BROKERWATCH WPP Group upped to 'overweight' vs 'equal-weight' at Morgan Stanley

*SMITHS GROUP SAYS OUTLOOK IN ITS SECTORS REMAINS ROBUST GOING FORWARD

London shares outlook - up, Northern Rock cancels div, enters approach talks

BROKERWATCH DSG International, Kesa Electricals targets cut by Credit Suisse

Thomson Financial UK at a glance share guide

Australian shares close mixed as BHP Billiton, Rio retreat from record highs

STOCKWATCH Smiths Group up after results, Bowman new CEO, Landsbanki 'hold'UK smallcap opening - Claims People edges up on return to H1 profitTokyo shares close higher on expectations of solid first-half earnings

STOCKWATCH Kesa Electricals lower post H1 results; Landsbanki keeps as 'reduce'Australian shares close mixed as BHP Billiton, Rio retreat - UPDATE

London shares open up, Northern Rock jumps on approach news, NY closes mixed

Tokyo shares close higher on expectations of solid first-half earnings - UPDATEFTSE opens comfortably higher

UK smallcap opening - Netplay TV ticks up on growth prospects