RAMSEY CROOKALL & CO 26th November 2012

      Morning Report The FTSE 100 is down 0.4%, edging just lower though remaining within a tight range. Investors are expected to be cautious until there are clearer indications as to how the talks on Greece are progressing at today's eurogroup meeting.

Barclays is leading fallers on the top share index. Qatar Holding plans to sell its remaining warrants in the lender, which are worth around £775m, yet it will remain its largest shareholder with a 6.7% stake.

Aberdeen Asset Management, Europe's second largest fund-manager, has announced a 15% full year increase in underlying profit before tax, to £347.8m, versus £301.9m a year ago. Of interest, speaking on Bloomberg TV the company's Chief Executive, Martin Gilbert, indicated that one of his company's aims is to maintain a "progressive dividend policy", targeting a growth rate in the mid-teens.

Compass is an early gainer this morning after analysts at Nomura raised their target price on the company's shares to 832p (from 800p). "Compass Group's results encapsulated the key attractions of the investment case: strong turnover growth (5.4%), excellent cash flow conversion and continued margin expansion (+8bp), these analysts wrote.

Bacon and sausage supplier Cranswick served up a hefty increase in half year profit but said higher pig prices during the period were an on-going concern.  Pre-tax profit rose 21% to £22.5m for the six months ended September 30th 2012, while revenues climbed 6% to £418.6m.

India-focused Essar Energy almost doubled revenues in the first half but saw this wiped out by costs, as well as regulation and coal supply problems in India. Group revenue was up 97% to $12.8bn, driven by the acquisition of the UK Stanlow refinery as well as higher refining revenues in India.

THE FTSE 100              @ 10:00        Down       29      @      5789 THE DOW JONES            closed          Up         172     @      13009                                THE NASDAQ               closed          Up         40      @      2966                                                          

Exchange Rates GBP – USD        @       10:00              1.6010 GBP - EURO      @       10:00              1.2343

Gold $/ OZ                            $1748