RAMSEY CROOKALL & CO May 2nd 2012                                                                                                 Evening Report

The FTSE 100 closed down 0.9% to 5758.11, pressured by poor euro-zone manufacturing and unemployment data and much worse-than-expected ADP jobs data from US. Fashion chain Next rose after sticking with full-year guidance given in March after first quarter sales showed a small year-on-year improvement, helped by contributions from new stores.

Broadcaster and broadband group BSkyB made gains after reporting record nine-month operating profit. Meanwhile, the firm insisted it was 'fit and proper to hold its broadcasting licences' as the fall-out from the News Corporation hacking scandal continues.

Standard Chartered said its broad geographic base once again helped it secure a strong start to the year with "high single-digit income growth" in the first quarter. However, it admitted that growth had been hit by the continued strength of the US dollar against Asian currencies. The shares closed 3.70% lower.

Sector peers Barclays, Lloyds and RBS were also out of favour following a strong performance the day before.

Insurance group Admiral was a faller early on after going ex-dividend

THE FTSE 100             closed             Down        54   @      5,758 THE DOW JONES            @ 17:00            Down        50   @     13228 THE NASDAQ               @ 17:00            Down        2    @      3048 Exchange Rates

GBP – USD       @      17:00                   1.6192 GBP - EURO     @      17:00                   1.2311