Tuesday Papers: tips and comment

Comment on Centrica, HSBC, Dana, Southern Cross, Stobart, and Hiscox.

FT Lex Column:

* Who is the ECB lending to? -- since the credit crunch began, some have argued the European Central Bank's lending policies are too generous and transfer banks' private risks on to the public. The numbers suggest worries may have been exaggerated

* Clear Channel -- an agreement to press ahead with the Clear Channel buy-out would at least leave all sides less badly burned than they might be after unleashing the lawyers to fight it out in the Lone Star State

* H-P wants EDS -- Hewlett-Packard will find it hard convincing its own shareholders that it can successfully integrate a different business and that it is worth paying a premium in order to try

* Australian banks -- deals don't get much more opportunistic than this. Australia's fourth biggest bank by market capitalisation has approached St George barely a week after the fifth-ranked lender trimmed its earnings guidance

* Dresdner's future -- like people, most companies have done something they regret. For Allianz, which reported mixed first quarter numbers last week, if was the purchase of Dresdner Bank in 2001

* Hedge fund lock-ups -- why are investors in hedge funds willingly submitting to ever-longer lock-ups of their capital?

* EnCana's split -- EnCana's stock price has risen eight per cent on the news that it is to split itself in two. The Canadian oil and gas group's move is smart and well-timed, raising the sum-of-the-parts argument to push for a higher stock price.

Lombard (p. 18):

* HSBC's unique structure make comparisons difficult -- Centrica: brace yourself for higher energy prices -- It sees Britons have not turned into the national of shoppers we feared

Other comment:

* Households save their pennies for house renovation work (p.9)

* Interview French finance minister Christine Lagarde (p.9)

* Google triumphant (p.11)

* Premier Foods faces three crucial questions (p.20)

* Best Buy plots its global strategy (p.22)

* Investment banks pin hopes on Asia to rescue bottom line (p.24)

* Fund Focus: Tuburon Tiger (p.27)

* Kingfisher provides a spot of colour in lacklustre session (p.40)

* Traders tune into Shed Media (p.40)

* Brokers warm to ASOS flair (p.40)

THE TIMES

Tempus:

* Hold Dana Petroleum -- Southern Cross Healthcare best avoided for now -- Buy Stobart Group

Business Editor:

* Another tax break, Mr Darling, or we're off,,,, -- Chloride's bright sparks -- Payment protection insurance: hit where it hurts, in the wallet

Other comment:

* Predator rumours lift high street retailers

* Current trading at Carluccio's likely to be far better than many are expecting

* Solar Integrated Technologies a tiddler to watch

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Questor:

* Buy Centrica -- Hold Hiscox

Comment:

* Time for tough choices in battle over banking -- HSBC's window on the world -- Vodafone needs to connect in Africa

Other comment:

* Vodafone faces tough call in bid to expand

* Marks & Spencer profited from Rose years but doubts persist

* Retail sector cashes in on Kingfisher bid talk

THE INDEPENDENT

Investment Column:

* Hold Hiscox -- Buy Stobart Group -- Buy Southern Cross Healthcare

Outlook:

* Centrica is the right solution for British Energy. Present profits squeeze proves it -- Can Alistair Darling survive a reshuffle?

Other comment:

* Mervyn King prepares to eat humble pie

* Kingfisher soars on talk of bid from US

THE GUARDIAN

Viewpoint:

* HSBC needs objective analysis --A breath of fresh air from the Lib Dems

Other comment:

* Kingfisher lift off after talk of predator

* Cains Beer Company having a busy time

DAILY MAIL

* Alliance & Leicester to unveil further writedowns of around £200 million on its portfolio of toxic loans

* Kingfisher flies on bid rumour

DAILY EXPRESS

* Nice Tech contract hopes loift Zyzygy

* Talk suggests Xstrata will turn hunter