The close: Markets shrug

RTGAMBullish investors who believe that the stock market saw its lowest point in October could find plenty to smile about on Monday. U.S. manufacturing activity fell to its lowest level since 1982 and U.S. auto makers reported their worst sales month since the Second World War - and yet major North American stock market indexes barely budged.

The Dow Jones industrial average closed at 9319.83, down 5.18 points or less than 0.1 per cent. The broader S&P 500 closed at 966.31, down 2.44 points or 0.3 per cent.Given the dismal reports, the slight declines could imply that a deep recession is already be factored into stock prices. Indeed, General Motors Corp. shares fell jut 2.4 per cent after the auto maker reported that its sales plunged 45 per cent in October, year over year.

After adjusting for population growth, it represented the worst month in the postwar era. Similarly, Ford Motor Co. shares fell 2.7 per cent after it reported a 30-per-cent drop in sales.In other moves, Home Depot Inc. fell 5.8 per cent, Walt Disney Co. fell 3.4 per cent and General Electric Co. fell 1.1 per cent. On the upside, Citigroup Inc. rose 2.5 per cent, Microsoft Corp. rose 1.3 per cent and Coca-Cola Co. rose 3.2 per cent.In Canada, the S&P/TSX composite index closed at 9721.09, down 41.67 points or 0.4 per cent.

There, commodity producers were the big weight dragging the index into negative territory, after the price of crude oil tumbled to $63.91 (U.S.) a barrel, down 3.90. EnCana Corp. fell 4.5 per cent, Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. fell 5.4 per cent and Suncor Energy Inc. fell 6.2 per cent. As well, Barrick Gold Corp. fell 4.5 per cent.However, insurance companies were strong, with Manulife Financial Corp. up 8.3 per cent, and Sun Life Financial Inc. rose 4.1 per cent. Research In Motion Ltd. was another big mover, rising 3.8 per cent, and Bombardier Inc. rose 6.9 per cent.Copyright 2001 The Globe and Mail

NEWS RELEASE TRANSMITTED BY Marketwire FOR: TALISMAN ENERGY INC.Talisman Energy Inc. Conference Call SEP 24, 2008 - 13:42 ET CALGARY, ALBERTA--

(Marketwire - Sept. 24, 2008) - Talisman Energy Inc. (TSX:TLM) (NYSE:TLM) has scheduled a telephone conference call for investors, analysts and media on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. MST (1:00 p.m. EST) to discuss Talisman's third quarter results. Participants will include John A. Manzoni,

President and Chief Executive Officer and members of senior management. Talisman expects to release its third quarter results the morning of November 4 before markets open.To participate in the conference call, please contact the Talisman Energy conference operator at 10:50 a.m. MST (12:50 p.m. EST), 10 minutes prior to the conference call.

Conference Operator Dial in Numbers:1-800-733-7560 (North America) or1-416-915-5761 (Local Toronto & International)

A replay of the conference call will be available at approximately 2:30 p.m. MST on Tuesday, November 4 until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, 2008. If you wish to access this replay, please call:


1-877-289-8525 (North America) passcode 21283303# or1-416-640-1917 (Local Toronto & International) passcode 21283303#
Live Internet Audio BroadcastThe conference call will also be broadcast live on the Internet and can be accessed by going to the Talisman website (www.talisman-energy.com) and following the links from the home page. Alternatively, you can point your browser to: http://w.on24.com/r.htm?e=120656&s=1&k=03030004A018B11F30E176FD88777A31Talisman Energy Inc. is an independent upstream oil and gas company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Talisman has operations in Canada and its subsidiaries operate in the UK, Norway, Southeast Asia, North Africa and the United States. Talisman's subsidiaries are also active in a number of other international areas. Talisman is committed to conducting its business in an ethically, socially and environmentally responsible manner. The Company is a participant in the United Nations Global Compact and included in the Dow Jones Sustainability (North America) Index. Talisman's shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada and the New York Stock Exchange in the United States under the symbol TLM. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:Talisman Energy Inc. - Media and General InquiriesDavid Mann, Vice President,Corporate & Investor Communications(403) 237-1196(403) 237-1210 (FAX)Email: tlm@talisman-energy.comWebsite: www.talisman-energy.comorTalisman Energy Inc. - Shareholder and Investor InquiriesChristopher J. LeGallais, Vice President,Investor Relations(403) 237-1957(403) 237-1210 (FAX)Email: tlm@talisman-energy.comWebsite: www.talisman-energy.com