In the UK the FTSE 100 Index has started solidly, adding about 7 points to 5,021 in the morning session.
Logistics group Exel has added 30.50p to 840.50p after reporting pre-tax profits of £170.2m, £7m above analysts’ expectations. Lloyds TSB has also started well adding 10.75p to 499p, after reporting a smaller drop in second-half earnings than expected. Prudential is up 7.75p to 504.50p. Rentokil Initial is showing red, having shed 3.50p to 166.75p. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 Share Average index advanced 0.1% to 11,873.05 at its close early this morning, led by firms in the energy sector. Crude oil futures for April delivery traded at $53.61, after reaching $55.20 yesterday. Japan...
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