Pre Market

Strength across the boards in Asia and Europe.

Stocks In Play

More buyouts as Goldman Sachs and TPG buy Alltel.

Blackstone plans to raise $7.75 billion in IPO. Simply a case of cashing in while you can.In related news China is injecting $3 billion into Blackstone.

The slowdown in housing is hurting Lowes as profits slump. Estimates are missed, guidance is slashed and it all looks ugly.

Gas prices continue to move to record highs and adjusting for inflation has actually topped the 1981 peak prce.

The futures pre market are indicating a higher open.