P503ORACLE 503 Mon30 Dec C4 1742:52  STOCK      Mon Close    Although trade was slow, with much of the market still on holiday, shares advanced well helped by a seasonal crop of press tips. Gilts, though, were dull Among leaders, stores did well on reports of continued high spending with Dixons 13p ahead and others up to 8p better. Oils also firmed with BP up 13p Foods and breweries were firm with Guinness up 8p and banks and insurances advanced 5p or so. Speculative demand took P&O up 11p while Reuters added 19p Among the tips, Micro Focus added 20p, Pifco 'A' 37p and Holmes & Marchant 35p FINANCIAL ADVERTISERS look at 572