Hello traders!

In the US tonight, the DJIA was up 82.97 points at 11,615.93, while the S&P500
was ahead 7.1 points at 1,292.93 and the Nasdaq Composite 25.05 points
better at 2,453.67.

September crude closed at $115.01 a barrel, off 99 cents for the session.

See you in the morning with the latest...

G.

Good morning traders!

In Asia today, at the midday break, the Nikkei was up 13.37 points at 12,970.17,
while the Hang Seng lost 180.22 points to end the morning at 21,212.49.

US light crude for September delivery fell $1.10 to $113.91 a barrel.

Happy Friday!

G.

Morning all. Market reports:

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

Oil demand in Western countries is set for its biggest fall in 25 years as the global economic slowdown intensifies and consumers respond to high prices. Demand in the economies of the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries is set to average 48.6 million barrels per day this year, a decline of 1.3 per cent or 620,000 barrels from 49.2 million in 2007, the International Energy Agency says.
Western oil demand set for biggest fall in 25 years

The spectre of recession is looming over the eurozone after the economy in the 15-country region shrank for the first time since the single currency was introduced nearly a decade ago.
Europe teeters on the brink of recession

The economies of Germany, France and Italy all contracted in the first quarter and may now be in full recession, shattering assumptions that Europe would prove able to shrug off the effects of the credit crunch.
Spain in crisis as Europe crumbles

Sterling's slide against the dollar is set to continue for the rest of the year, according to Britain's biggest banks, as the country's economy weakens further. Lloyds TSB, Barclays, HSBC and Royal Bank of Scotland all expect the pound to weaken further, with the steepest declines coming against the dollar.
Sterling's slide set to deepen, UK banks warn

The outlook for the US economy remains precarious after inflation hit a 17-year high, home sales fell to a 10-year low, and one in every 464 American homes faces being repossessed.
Inflation surge hits US hopes for swift recovery

Wall Streets commitment to buying back auction-rate securities rose to more than $48bn on Thursday as JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley joined other banks that pledged to repurchase such debt instruments from investors.
Auction-rate deals top $48bn

The pint of milk was at the centre of a ferocious supermarket price battle yesterday as Asda and Tesco vowed to cut millions of pounds from customers shopping bills this weekend.
Desperate food stores start new price war

Six high street banks could be left with stakes of at least 3% in Bradford & Bingley following its 400m cash call. B&B shareholders have until 11am today to subscribe to the rights issue, which has been restructured three times in as many months and is aimed at bolstering the balance sheet.
Retail banks may be left with sizeable stake in Bradford & Bingley after 400m cash call

NIKKEI 225	AUSTRALIA ASX200	SHANGHAI	HANG SENG

London shares outlook - slightly up, after Wall Street rallyThomson Financial Europe AM at a glance share guide: Shares, oil mixed

The Friday Press Roundup

BROKERWATCH Intercontinental Hotels cut to 'underweight' at Morgan Stanley

Tokyo shares close higher after softer yen lifts exporters

Thomson Financial UK at a glance share guide

UK smallcap opening - Nipson Digital dips as H1 losses widen

Tokyo shares close higher after softer yen lifts exporters - UPDATE

UK smallcap opening - Addworth runs back on swing to H1 losses

UK smallcap opening - Lo-Q advances on sharply higher H1 profitsLondon shares open higher after Wall Street rally

UK smallcap opening - Gatekeeper Systems up on FY profits forecast; tender offer

UK smallcap opening - Meldex firms on product launch

UK smallcap opening - Greystar Resources slides on widening H1 losses

UK small caps open higher; Lo-Q strong on sharply higher H1 numbers

London shares - mid-morning features

BROKERWATCH Barratt, Persimmon, Bovis Homes cut at Kaupthing; Berkeley upped

STOCKWATCH UK retailers up after John Lewis sales rise; Seymour Pierce positive