10/07/07 FTSE 100 6712.7, +22.6 Dow 13650, +38.3 FTSE 250 11859.6, -7.7 Nasdaq 2670.02, +3.51 FTSE All Share 3463.62, +9.49 S&P 500 1531.85, +1.4 Nikkei 18252.7, -9.3 Hang Seng 22870.4, +53 Oil (Brent) $77.20 Gold $662.50 Base Rate 5.75% 10 Yr Gilt 5.538% £/$ 2.014 Euro/Gbp 0.6761 Market report  US markets went higher yesterday ahead of upcoming earnings reports for which current projections put growth at 5.6% over the period a year ago. Both the Dow and the S&P 500 neared record highs throughout the session, but in the end neither had quite the momentum.  The Dow Jones climbed 38.3 points to close at 13,650, the S&P 500 added 1.4 points to end at 1,531.85. The Nasdaq rose 3.51 points to finish at 2,670.02. Johnson & Johnson gained on news that the company had authorised a plan to buy back $10 billion of shares. The healthcare company finished 1% higher at $62.72. ConocoPhillips rallied 3.7% to $84.05 after announcing that it would buy back up to $15 billion of its shares through the end of 2008 - quadrupling its previous repurchase plan. Alcoa rose 1.7% to $42.36 ahead of second quarter earnings figures. However, after the bell when the aluminium producer released its report shares fell away 1.2% to $41.85 - although profit was in line with expectations, revenue had come in short. Boeing lifted about 1% after unveiling its 787 Dreamliner passenger jet. The company announced new orders over the weekend that took its order total for the plane to more than $100 billion. Google hit an all time high during the session after brokerage Think Equity raised its price target on the stock to $700 from $620. Shares finished 0.6% higher at $542.56. US light crude oil slipped $0.76 to $72.05 a barrel. COMEX gold for August delivery rose $7.70 to $662.50 an ounce. Treasury prices rose, lowering the yield on the 10 year note to 5.14% from 5.18%. The Nikkei edged 9.3 points lower to 18,252.7 this morning. Exporters paced declines after the yen strengthened against the dollar and euro. Property stocks dropped for a third day on concern higher borrowing costs will erode profits. The Hang Seng is currently 53 points higher at 22,870.4. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd led gains of more than 50% for the first half. Anta Sports Products Ltd and Vinda International Holdings Ltd soared on their debut. A cautious trading update from one of the UK's top housebuilding firms sent shares in the sector tumbling yesterday. Investor sentiment turned against the sector as Bovis Homes said that it had experienced a recent slowdown in sales after five rate hikes since last August began to impact on consumer confidence. However, the wider market shrugged off the negative sentiment in the sector as the FTSE 100 broke through 6,700 to end the session up 22.6 points at 6712.7. Persimmon topped the fallers' board with a drop of more than 4%, or 50p to 1164p, while Barratt Developments lost 23.5p to 991.5p. Bovis saw its shares shed almost 11%, or 100p to 820.5p, Redrow fell 29p to 512p and the newly-merged Taylor Wimpey was off 19p at 343p. Downbeat sentiment also hit property stocks in the top flight: Hammerson fell 12p to 1405p, Land Securities was down 17p at 1751p and Segro slipped 8.5p to 603p. Sugar refiner Tate & Lyle topped the risers board, with an increase of 26p to 580p, almost 5%, after an upgrade from Credit Suisse. Another positive broker note lifted British Airways up the board - ahead 4.75p at 438.5p - after Panmure Gordon said the carrier was well set to shrug off higher fuels and competition, while drinks can manufacturer Rexam rose 8p to 520.5p on a Citigroup upgrade. Prospects of higher metal prices lifted heavily weighted mining stocks, with Kazakhmys up 55p at 1360p, Xstrata up 94p at 3360p, and Antofagasta cheering 18p to 681.5p. In the pubs sector, weekend reports that Mitchells & Butlers was close to completing a deal to cash in on its property assets helped the firm rise 14.5p to 887p. The news saw Enterprise Inns gain 10p to 714p, Punch Taverns increase 17p to 1319p and Whitbread cheer 20p to 1836p. Among FTSE 100 fallers, Home Retail Group suffered as the negative sentiment over the retail sector persisted. The stock was down 9.5p at 450.25p. Fashion chain Next lost 7p to 2010p after a broker downgraded by HSBC, which said "the summer season is already a washout". B&Q owner Kingfisher, meanwhile, was off 1.75p at 221.1p, although Marks & Spencer bounced back from losses seen in early trading to sit 4.5p higher at 632.5p ahead of a trading update tomorrow. Economic report    UK Trade Balance (May) 0930 BST Analysts expect a modest improvement in the trade balance as import growth slows by more than export growth, on the back of weaker retail spending. US Wholesale Inventories (May) 1500 BST/1000 EDT The wholesale inventory-to-sales ratio has edged down since the start of the year, currently matching its all-time low. Analysts expect a 0.4% rise in May inventories. The details published in this e-mail are intended for information only and should not be construed as advice under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Aventus Capital Management will not accept responsibility for any actions taken (or not taken) on the basis of information published in this e-mail. Aventus Capital Management is a trading style, "Aventus" is a trade mark and the Aventus logo is a registered trade mark of Rickerbys Solicitors.  Rickerbys is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.  Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.