Barclays in New York trading rose $1.53 to $26.24 and in London trading increased 21 pence to £3.21.

Asian Markets Review

In Tokyo Nikkei 225 Index closed lower 19.64 or 0.14% to 13,829.92, in Hong Kong Hang Seng index increased 179.14 or 0.80% closed to 22,635.16. In Australia ASX 200 index lower 52.20 or 0.99% to close 5,237.80. In Malaysia KL Composite index increased 8.83 or 0.74% closed to 1,209.11.

In South Korea Kospi Index increased 6.95 or 0.41% to close at 1,717.79, in Thailand SET index closed higher 14.67 or 1.92% to 778.42 and Indonesia JSE Index edged decreased 24.02 or 1.02% to 2,341.36. Sensex index in India increased 113.49 or 0.80% to 14,220.07.

Earnings Review

General Mills, Inc, the food and breakfast cereal maker reported fourth quarter sales increased 13% to $3.47 billion from $3.06 billion a year ago. Net income in the quarter decreased 17.35% to $185.2 million or 53 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $224.1 million or 62 cents per share, a year ago.

For the fiscal year ended May 25, 2008, General Mills net sales grew 10% to $13.7 billion. Net earnings grew 13% to $1.3 billion including non-cash net gains from mark-to-market valuation of certain commodity positions and a favorable ruling related to a tax contingency.

Diluted earnings per share totaled $3.71 including $0.19 from the commodity and tax items. Excluding these items, earnings per share would have totaled $3.52 for the year, up 11% from reported earnings of $3.18 per share a year ago.

General Mills, Inc (GIS: chart) in the last one year traded as high as $63.91 in June 2008 and as low as $51.00 in January 2008. Based on the yesterday’s closing price the company has a market cap of $20.91 billion.

Monsanto Company, a provider of agricultural products for farmers reported third quarter sales increased 26% to $3.6 billion from $2.8 billion a year ago. Net income in the quarter increased 42% to $811 million or $1.45 per diluted share compared to net income of $570 million or $1.03 per share, a year ago.

Monsanto Company (MON: chart) in the last one year traded as high as $145.80 in June 2008 and as low as $58.50 in August 2007. Based on the yesterday’s closing price the company has a market cap of $74.52 billion.

3Com Corporation, the network equipment maker said fourth quarter revenues rose 3% to $321.3 million from $310.9 million a year ago. Net loss in the quarter was $166.7 million or 41 cents per diluted share compared to net loss of $66.2 million or 17 cents per share, a year ago. For the year, 3Com''s loss widened to $228.8 million from $88.6 million. Revenue rose 2% to $1.29 billion from $1.27 billion.

3Com Corporation (COMS: chart) in the last one year traded as high as $5.11 in September 2007 and as low as $1.76 in March 2008. Based on the yesterday’s closing price the company has a market cap of $955.54 million.