Insurers boost FTSE

The insurance group picked up 20p to 656.5p, while life office, Prudential also gained 12p to 536.5p, after reporting a 24% increase in first-half profit, on the back of strong US earnings. Pru announced net income advanced to £517m from £418m or 19.8% during the six months to 30 June, while US sales doubled as a result of a surge in annuities. British Airways also climbed 6.75p to 280p. On the losing end, mobile firm O2 shed 5p to 137.75p, after Reuters reported Goldman Sachs Group is selling as much as £528m worth of O2 stock. Yell meanwhile also lost 10.5p to 449.5p, along with ...