Hello traders!

In the US, the Dow ended down 41 points at 10,854, having touched a low for the day of 10,817.

The Nasdaq tumbled to a two-week low, sliding 23 points to 2,279, hurt by a broad decline in technology stocks. The S&P500 dropped 4.99 points to 1,277.

Crude-oil futures extended losses with the benchmark February contract last down 96 cents at $65.35 a barrel.

See you in the morning with the latest...

G.

Good morning traders!

In Asia today, the Nikkei recouped some recent losses, closing up 355.10 points at 15,696.28. The enthusiasm rubbed off on the Hang Seng as it closed the morning session up 136.60 points at 15,617.81.

New York's main oil contract, light sweet crude for delivery in February, was up 7 cents at $65.80 a barrel from its close of $65.73 in the United States Wednesday, where it had earlier struck $66.93.

Early broker notes:

ASTRAZENECA UPPED TO 'NEUTRAL' FROM 'UNDERPERFORM' AT CREDIT SUISSE

Happy trading!

G.

AFX UK at a glance share guide


LONDON (AFX) - Leading shares are tipped to bounce higher in opening deals,
taking their cue from a rebound in Asian markets overnight, as bargain hunters
move in following heavy losses yesterday on the back of panic-selling in Japan,
dealers said.
According to CMC Markets, the FTSE 100 is set to open 27 points firmer at
5691 after closing yesterday 35.2 points lower at 5,663.7.

MARKETS
FTSE 100 5,663.7, down 35.3
FTSE 250 8,846.8, down 34.8
DJIA 10,854.90, down 41.40
Nasdaq Comp 2,279.64, down 23.05
S&P 500 1,277.95, down 5.00
Tokyo: Nikkei closed at 15,696.28, up 355.10
Hang Seng midday 15,617.81, up 136.60
Gold 547.40 usd (558.80 usd)
Oil - Brent March 64.19 usd (64.90 usd)

TODAY'S PRESS
* Gilts crisis hits pension funds; deficits of FTSE 350 companies rise by 20
bln stg this month; investors to lobby government to end shortfall of long-dated
bonds - FT
* Tokyo Stock Exchange re-opens this morning with emergency measures in place -
including curtailed trading hours - an a desperate attempt to prevent a
recurrence of yesterday's near-collapse, which left its reputation in tatters -
FT
* British Gas warns of price rise as supplies fall - FT
* DEBENHAMS eyes market comeback; department store chain asks four banks to
prepare strategic review of options - including 3 bln stg float - FT
* BRITISH AIRWAYS pension deficit stands at 2 bln stg; figures double since
last valuation three years ago - FT
* America's Hilton Hotels Corporation has held talks with Blackstone over the
sale of a big chunk of the 2 bln stg of property assets that it is acquiring
through its 3.3 bln takeover of HILTON INTERNATIONAL - Times

PRESS COMMENT
FT
THE LEX COLUMN comments on Intel/AMD (AMD faces a tougher battle to maintain
its momentum), Equity volatility (from next month, options on the Vix index will
be available; contracts to buy volatility are likely to prove the most popular),
Tokyo Stock Exchange (the market has lost 300 bln usd in value this week and
more shortened sessions beckon; brokers have the compensation of bloated
commissions; the cost to other market participants, however, makes the TSE's own
listing plans look increasingly far-fetched), Endesa (if Gas Natural still looks
likely to win the war, this latest salvo makes it almost certain it will have to
raise its offer), IT spending prospects for an earnings-led share price recovery
look reasonable), DSG INTERNATIONAL (sense remains that management is having to
run very fast indeed just to stand still)
Mail
SANCTUARY (whispers that serial entrepreneur Richard Thompson is ready to fork
out around 1 mln stg to acquire a sizeable stake in Sanctuary) - CENES
PHARMACEUTICALS (talk that a major institution will soon announce it has taken a
3 pct stake)
Express
SHARE WHISPER: MINERVA (talk of a possible 'dawn raid' from Far East)
Times
Directors' dealing: THEMUTUAL.NET (director sells stock for 81,000 stg) -
Rumour of the day: SCOTTISH & NEWCASTLE (rumours of predatory interest from
Anheuser-Busch) - TEMPUS: DSG INTERNATIONAL (buy), RIO TINTO (take some
profits), LOGICACMG (hold)
Independent
THE INVESTMENT COLUMN: SABMILLER (long-term hold), ARBUTHNOT BANKING (may be
worth a flutter)
Guardian
MINERVA (bid speculation) - QXL RICARDO (fears that a boardroom appointment
could force index tracking funds to cut their holdings)
Telegraph
QUESTOR: ASTRAZENECA (worth holding), DSG INTERNATIONAL (hold for income),
BESPAK (hold)

Outlook

morning campers

Good Morning all

Looking a lot more positive this morning

End-of-day Market Summary