bernanke just called me cpi numbers good, page-13

re: cpi figures This comment on Reuters regarding the FTSE100

"By 0856 GMT, the benchmark FTSE 100 <.FTSE> index was down 2.9
points at 5,516.7 -- failing to hold on to a session high of
5,543 points. Total market turnover topped 461 million shares,
with defence and drug stocks forming the weakest sectors.

The FTSE closed at its lowest level since December on Tuesday.
The index has slumped from five-year highs as investors fret
about inflation levels and voice concerns that global interest
rate rises could hit economic growth.

Traders said they were particularly cautious ahead of U.S.
consumer price index data due out at 1230 GMT, which will
provide the latest clue on the economic outlook.

"I think everything depends on this afternoon," said Lawrence
Peterman at stockbrokers Eden Group. "We could be up or down 100
points this afternoon on the back of these numbers. That's how
important they are so I'm biding my time, not doing much this
morning just waiting to see the figure."