Shell, BP, Volkswagen Earnings, Germany's Ifo Index: European Week Ahead

(Bloomberg) -- Earnings from Royal Dutch Shell Plc and
BP Plc, Europe's largest oil companies, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, the
world's second-biggest drugmaker and DaimlerChrysler AG, the fifth-
largest carmaker in the world, may move stock markets next week.

Companies including Siemens AG, the biggest European
engineering company and Volkswagen AG, Europe's largest
carmaker, are also expected to report earnings.


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Oil Rises to 10-Month High on Nigerian Supply Concern, U.S. Fuel Shortfall

(Bloomberg) -- Crude oil rose to a 10-month high, on
concern that unrest in Nigeria may curb oil shipments and
unexpected shutdowns at U.S. refineries will cut fuel production.

Nigerian gunmen kidnapped a three-year-old daughter of a
British expatriate on her way to school in the southern oil city
of Port Harcourt, a police spokesman said. Five contractors were
seized yesterday from a rig operated by Royal Dutch Shell Plc's
Nigerian venture. Futures pared gains after the Energy Department
reported that U.S. oil and fuel supplies rose last week.


Read more at Bloomberg Commodities News

Gazprom-Shell Venture Tests Russia's First Liquefied-Gas Processing Plant

(Bloomberg) -- An OAO Gazprom and Royal Dutch Shell
Plc joint venture said they started testing a liquefied natural
gas plant at Sakhalin, eastern Russia, a further step toward the
country's first LNG export sales, scheduled for 2008.

The LNG facility at the Sakhalin-2 project will be
commissioned, or tested, using gas from Shell's LNG tanker
Granosa, which docked at the plant's jetty in Prigorodnoye
earlier today, the Sakhalin Energy Investment Co. venture said
in a statement.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

Oil Trades Near 10-Month High on U.S. Gasoline Concern, Nigeria Rig Attack

(Bloomberg) -- Crude oil traded near a 10-month high
in New York on concern renewed violence in Nigeria and refinery
breakdowns may restrict U.S. fuel supplies.

Royal Dutch Shell Plc said five expatriate contractors were
abducted from a rig in Nigeria, where militant groups this week
ended a one-month truce with the government. A U.S. government
report today will probably show the nation's gasoline stockpiles
remained below average as rising demand and plant faults hamper
refiners' efforts to store fuel.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

Crude Oil Trades Near 10-Month High After Attack on Shell Rig in Nigeria

(Bloomberg) -- Crude oil traded near a 10-month high
in New York after Royal Dutch Shell Plc said militants attacked
its rig in Nigeria, raising concern about further oil supply
disruption from Africa's largest producer.

Five expatriate contractors working for Lonestar Drilling
Nigeria Ltd. were taken hostage, said Precious Okolobo, a
spokesman for Shell's Nigerian venture. The attack occurred
early this morning in the Soku field, where the rig was drilling
a well. No production was affected, he said.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

U.K. Stocks Rebound, Paced by Shares of Northern Rock, Shell; Segro Drops

(Bloomberg) -- U.K. stocks advanced, paced by
Northern Rock Plc after Goldman, Sachs & Co. recommended
investors buy the shares.

Royal Dutch Shell Plc climbed with the price of oil while BT
Group Plc rose after the phone company said analysts are too
pessimistic about sales growth.


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European Stocks Advance in Quarter; Total, Linde, Swatch Pace the Gains

(Bloomberg) -- European stocks headed for a fourth
consecutive quarterly advance on speculation companies will keep
increasing profit and takeovers will lift shares.

Linde Group and BASF AG led chemical makers higher on
expectations they may merge. Swatch Group AG rallied after
Deutsche Bank AG recommended buying shares in the watchmaker
because revenue and profit margins may increase. Total SA and
Royal Dutch Shell Plc as oil climbed to a 10-month high.


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