P529 Teletext 529 Jun 1 03:14:17 —————————————— SATURDAY ———— TIMES Sterling hit its highest level against the mark for 15 months, buoyed by evidence that consumer demand and the housing market are strengthening. INDEPENDENT Lucas and US group Varity clinched a £3.2bn mjrgjr to create one of the world's top 10 automotive component suppliers. TELEGRAPH Sears, the Selftidges retail giant, said it would attempt to put the shoe businesses of Facia, led by Stephen Hinchliffe, into administration ——————————————————————————————————————— Precis index 510 Companies index 520 POPULAR SHARES - LATEST PRICES p516 International CityNews Shares FUSEP529 Teletext 529 Jun 1 03:43:03 —————————————— FRIDAY ———— TIMES The US is "on course" for an inflation target, with OECD optimistic, despite a cut in this year's growth forecast. EXPRESS The Govjrnmjnt received top marks for transforming Britain into a low inflation, low unemployment and more flexible economy. INDEPENDENT Rudolph Agnew, chairman of building materials group Rjdland, warned over profits and conditions affecting the construction industry. ——————————————————————————————————1/2—— Precis index 510 Companies index 520 POPULAR SHARES - LATEST PRICES p516 International CityNews Shares FUSEP529 Teletext 529 Man31 23:42:22 —————————————— FRIDAY ———— TELEGRAPH Up to £3bn of bank lending to local authorities for capital projects could be at risk of default as a consequence of a court ruling. GUARDIAN The pound hit fresh highs on foreign exchanges after record-breaking exports figures, fuelling a much needed recovery in the trade balance. FT Mercury Asset Management is set to win a contract to transfer up to £10bn being assembled by Lloyd's of London to finance its rescue vehicle Equitas. ——————————————————————————————————2/2—— Prices index 510 Companies index 520 POPULAR SHARES - LATEST PRICES p516 International CityNews Shares FUSE