Before the Bell

While Thomson measures our newsroom for new curtains, the rest of the markets look set to fade slightly after five straight days of gains.

All eyes will be watching for tomorrows Federal Reserve meeting for a clue to the economys next move. In the bond market, analysts expect the Fed to stand pat, by noting inflation pressures despite troubles in the housing industry.

The oil market rebounded toward $65 a barrel in the wake of military raids that have shut down 25 percent of Nigerias output.

In the meantime, some stragglers in earnings season arrived with conglomerate Tyco beating estimates by 2 cents helped by its electronics segment and fire and security technology.Lazard posted disappointing results, hurt by weak growth from merger and acquisition fees, as its shares fell 5 percent in premarket trading.

At first blush, insurance broker Marsh & McLennan appears to have fallen short of expectations.And the Financial Times is reporting that the worlds largest steelmaker, Arcelor Mittel, is kicking the tires at U.S.- based. AK Steel.

Oh, yeah and Thomson Corp. is in talks to buy some British news service for $17 billion.

Derek Caney
www.reuters.com