
Friends Prov boosts FTSE
The FTSE had a strong Monday, thanks in part to financial services firm Friends Provident, finishing up 58.8, or 0.96%, to close on 6189.40.
The life and pensions insurer gained 8 points, or 4.12% to close on 202p. It was closely followed by Prudential, up 26.5, or 3.89%, which closed on 708p.
Plumbing firm Wolseley, despite a decline on Friday, jumped 44 points to close on £12.43.
Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Group also had a strong day, closing up 5.25 points, or 3.29% to 493p.
These gains were moderately offset however by falls for the Imperial Tobacco Group, down 45 points, or 1.93%, to £22.85.
Unilever wasn’t far behind, closing down 18 points, or 1.18%, to £15.07, and neither was Morrison Supermarkets, down 3.75 points, or 1.18% to close on 314p.
In the United States, the Dow Jones also made early gains, jumping 98.3 points, or 0.81%, to 12208.71.
Caterpillar Inc made an early move, jumping 1.3 points, or 2.06% to $64.46, as did AT&T, up 0.71 points, or 1.92%, to $37.69.
Du Pont de Nemours also made some early gains across the pond, jumping 0.77 points, or 1.54%, to $50.73.
Only Intel Corp made any significant negative move, losing 0.11 points, or 0.57%, to $19.05.
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