Bullish blue-chips boost FTSE

Alliance & Leicester climbed as its funding fears were alleviated this morning, finishing on 686 points, a 7.95% gain. Speculation Vedanta Resources could be a takeover target led the mining giant to a 7.77% spike, to 2192 points. Other blue-chips Antofagasta and Anglo American also climbed, up 7.4% to 755 and 6.73% to 3154 respectively. Mitchells and Butlers slid as consumer spending concerns mount; the pub group lost 5.72% to close on 585. DSG International and Punch Taverns also lost ground on Thursday, falling 3.98% to 113.5 and 3.71% to 829. In New York, the Dow Joes has recov...