These prices have not been seen since mid-2004, when the Fed Reserves began the first of a long series of rate hikes.

Investors are keeping an eye on oil as the intensifying standoff between the West and Iran looks to pick up steam.

As a coming-out party, it is a baptism of fire.

Oil I think is done and dusted for another few months.

Bird-flu in wild swans in Germany, Austria and Iran are still cause for concern.

With stocks running out of steam late yesterday afternoon we suspect that the market will continue to present itself lower in early morning trade as higher oil prices grabbed far bigger attention than the M&A activity.

You have had some very positive results and some quite poor results.

I think the story is done on those stocks.

There is always something on the boil at the moment and that keeps people on their toes.

Mining and resource stocks will be in the spotlight this week as another round of iron-ore pricing negotiations is due - which would provide short-term volatility and price fluctuations for the market.