The FTSE 100 broke through the magical 6500 barrier thanks to a terrific day for mortgage lenders, only to be dragged back in afternoon trading to close on 6486.4 - a 53.4 point gain, or 0.83%.
This morning's news US dealmaker Chris Flowers was given access to Northern Rock’s books after lodging a takeover proposal drove the lenders to post the day's most impressive gains. Alliance & Leicester was the best of the bunch; it climbed 62 points, or 8.46%, to 795 – while Northern Rock itself also climbed sharply, up 11.5 points, or 6.32%, to 193.5. Homebuilding company Taylor Wimpey also rose significantly to close on 275, a 17 point gain or 6.59%. Contract caterer Compass fell 9.5 points, or 2.97%, to 310.75; while mining giants Vedanta Resources also lost ground, down 52 points...
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