In London, the FTSE 100 closed up as investors moved their money to firms that are less affected by economic downturn, up 21.20 (0.33%) to 6,356.9.
Smith & Nephew made the biggest gains as investors saw the medical supply company as a safe bet, up 43.5 (7.29%) to 640p. BT Group added 13.75 (5.21%) to 277.75p. Yell Group shares lost 21.25 points (6.2%) to 321.75p, while Persimmon dropped 33.5 points (4.89%) to 651.5p. On Wall Street, markets made minor gains in early trading as energy companies benefited from a rise in oil prices and the Dow Jones was up 12.35 (0.1%) to 12,839.84. Verizon Communications shares added 1.28 points (2.98%) to 44.20, while Merck shares gained 1.49 (2.57%) to 59.41. Alcoa shares dropped yesterday’s gains...
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