RAMSEY CROOKALL & CO May 21st 2012

Evening Report

The FTSE 100 closed up 0.7% higher at 5304.48, as investors took the opportunity to pick up some recently-battered stocks. Man Group is among the biggest risers, up 5.02% after saying it will acquire Financial Risk Management Holdings. However, there are still major worries surrounding the euro-zone crisis which look set to dominate the headlines.

Oil prices rebounded after six days of declines, which led to gains for related stocks.

Mining stocks were also higher, as most metals prices rose following remarks from Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao about growth policies. In a state radio broadcast Sunday Wen stressed the importance of focusing on economic growth to prevent a slowdown in the country. Vedanta and Polymetal Resources closed up 4.85% and 5.02%.

Shares of Lamprell PLC gave up 3.05% after analysts at Nomura cut the oil and gas contractor to reduce from buy. The company last week said its financial performance has been hurt by a series of execution problems.

Ryanair Holdings on Monday warned earnings will fall sharply this year as it becomes harder to offset high fuel costs with fare increases amid tough economic conditions in Europe.

THE FTSE 100             closed            Up          36      @      5,304 THE DOW JONES            @ 17:00           Up          76      @     12446 THE NASDAQ               @ 17:00           Up          35      @      2813 Exchange Rates

GBP – USD       @      17:00            1.5789 GBP - EURO     @      17:00            1.2365 ??

??

??

??