BP slide can't stop FTSE inching higher

BP, Europe's largest oil company, has lost 3.5p, or 0.56%, to 620.5p, while Shell, Europe's second-biggest oil company, has retreated 17p, or 0.97%, to 1,734p, as crude oil for December delivery fell 0.5% in early trading to $59.47 a barrel. Pearson has added 12.5p, or 1.99%, to 640.5p, the company says revenue climbed 10% and operating profit increased 20% in the first nine months of the year as sales of school textbooks rose. Wolseley, is also on the up as the world's biggest distributor of plumbing and heating equipment, advancing 19p, or 1.7%, to 1,168p. The company says it has boug...