FTSE lifts above 4,100 as market optimism improves

Confidence is improving and sales targets suggest business is getting better, so the FTSE 100 finally managed to close up over the 41,000 level for the first time in a few weeks. Burberry, the retail group, helped to push the FTSE 100 up 69.5 points or 1.7% to 4127.6 thanks to a sales revival at the end of first quarter sparked by price cuts. Gus, which owns almost 80% of Burberry, closed up 1.9% to 706p while Burberry gained 7.25p or 2.6% to 283p. Reuters, the financial news and information group, also leapt 13.75p or 6.6% to 221p as it is now expected Q2 revenue will not fall as...