Thursday Papers: Tips and comment

FT Lex Comment:

* Hewlett-Packard -- acquisitive behaviour in the tech sector is being revitalised as rivals try to outdo each other

* UK economy -- the strength of the recovery looks likely to be in the single most important factor in determining a Conservative win in next year's elections

* Bear Stearns -- with the acquittal of two former Bear Stearns hedge fund managers, it is back to the drawing board to find Wall Street villains to convict

* TPG/Japan Airlines -- US interest in JAL is based in the fact that an 'open skies' policy with Japan may soon be agreed

* ING -- Brussels' drastic remedy merely accelerates the 'back to basics' plan of chief executive Jan Hommen

* CoCo bonds -- contingent convertible bonds are a quirky device that might help bank regulators sleep at night

* Reed Elsevier -- Ian Smith was never the right man for the top job at the Anglo-Dutch publisher

* J Sainsbury -- first-half underlying pre-tax profits up 18% are testament to the turnround under Justin King

* Chinese data -- seasonal China watchers accept that not everything adds up in the data-gathering business

Lombard (p.20):

* Reed and digest: five lessons in succession planning -- Cadbury: hot chocolate? no thanks -- National Express: last stop for the Cosmens

Other comment:

* America and Asia: decline but no fall (p.13)

* Interview Aaron Regent, chief executive Barrick Gold (p.23)

* Interview Khalid al-Falih, head of Saudi Aramco (p.23)

* Legal & General strength attributed to renewed speculation about a possible break-up bid (p.38)

* Sale speculation lifts Heritage Oil (p.38)

* Talk of equity fundraising supports Solo Oil (p.38)

THE TIMES

Tempus:

* Buy Great Portland -- Buy Micro Focus on weakness -- Hold on to Ultra Electronics

Business Editor:

* Loose legacy of Chancellor's fiscal tightening -- Rolls-Royce: Sir John Rose a cool engineer -- Reed Elsevier dilemma -- National Express: still on track

Other comment:

* Marks & Spencer may add Simply Food to the menu of continental expansion

* Business big shot: Paul Dollman, finance director John Menzies

* Regulator could force BT's rivals to help carry burden of its £6 billion deficit

* Legal & General benefits from Resolution bid hopes

* Contract hopes for Brady

* Bet of the day: BT Group

* Zetar a tiddler to watch

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Questor:

Buy Croda International and Balfour Beatty

Comment:

* Has the economic weather turned? We await the Chancellor's forecast -- Reed Elsevier: sequencing vital in boardroom dancing

Jeremy Warner: Policy looks bankrupt before economic flood

THE INDEPENDENT

Investment Column:

* Buy International Power -- Sell Jardine Lloyd Thompson -- Buy John Menzies

Outlook:

* Time running out for stamp duty savings -- Bank of England: David Cameron gets a warning -- Budget pleas set to fall on deaf ears

Other comment:

* Interview James Smith, UK chairman of Shell

* Recovery hoped drive DSG to new high

THE GUARDIAN

Viewpoint:

* After the surgery, Reed needs the post mortem -- Bank of England: V for Victory -- National Express: transport delay

DAILY MAIL

* Interview Geoff Taylor, chief executive British Phonographic Industry

* Penny share punters climb aboard Eco City Vehicles

DAILY EXPRESS

* Clive Cowdery to test Legal & General resolve

* Speculation that Solo Oil is close to a co-investment deal with Tullow Oil

SHARES MAGAZINE

Plays:

* Buy HMV at 110.1p -- Ser Lingus at 0.63

Updates:

* Buy Barclays, Cadbury and Persimmon -- Sell ZincOx

Go Green:

* Buy AEA Technologies -- Black Rock New Energy Investment Trust -- Helius Energy -- Modern Water -- SeaEnergy -- Zenergy Power

Sector Report:

* Buy Chemring and Avon Rubber -- Sell Rolls-Royce

The Griller:

* Peter Buchanan, chief executive Valiant Petroleum.