RAMSEY CROOKALL

14th July

Evening Report

European equity markets dropped today after Italy saw its borrowing costs rise, though upbeat U.S. jobs data buoyed Wall Street and limited losses across European markets.

In company news, Associated British Foods bucked the downward trend today. It said its outlook for the full year is in line with expectations as its food arm and budget clothing retail chain Primark continue to perform well.

Silver producer Fresnillo rose following strong quarterly production figures,

House builder Barratt Developments confirmed its return to profitability, saying it expects to deliver a full-year profit before tax and exceptional items of around £40m, compared to a loss the year before of £33.0m.

Daily Mail publisher DMGT came under pressure after saying it is putting the price of ts main newspaper up by 5p to 55p as it seeks to cope with rising newsprint prices and declines in the advertising market and circulations.

THE FTSE 100 closed                          Down            59          @     5846

THE DOW JONES at 16:40                       Up              9          @     12500                                NASDAQ COMP at 16:40                         Down             2          @     2794                                                Exchange Rates GBP – USD           1.6118 GBP - EURO         1.1378