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News Headlines:

The Hang Seng Iwas down 2% as growing fears about the spread of a mystery flu virus that has already claimed 11 Hong Kong lives put pressure on stocks.   

Next said its year profits rose to 301 million pounds in line with forecasts and its current sales trend was flat.

Wolverhampton & Dudley said on Thursday trading was satisfactory and it expected to report half-year results in line with expectations.

Boots said annual profits would be at the lower end of market expectations and it was withdrawing the bulk of its Wellbeing Services business.

FirstGroup bus and train company said that group sales and profit before tax and exceptional items for the year to the end of March would be in line with market expectations.

Man Group said on Thursday its sales continued to be strong and were estimated to rise to $6 billion in its financial year 2003 from $5.2 billion a year ago.

Calendar

All GMT

United Kingdom (F)inals (I)nterim

United States (Click Flag)

Europe & World

Thursday

27th

Next (F) PBT 295m exp. Alpha Airports (F), Amlin (F), CODASciSys (F),

Crest Nicholson (AGM),  Dana Petroleum (F), Fulmar (F), Maiden Group (F), Telewest Communications (F)

London Stock Exchange Trading Statement

09.30 UK Q4 Final GDP q/q + 0.4% exp.

13.30 Initial jobless claims w/e 22/3 13.30 Q4 final GDP

7.45 France Mar industrial survey (business climate) 7.45 France Mar general business outlook 8.00 Italy Jan retail sales m/m