FTSE climbs on takeover chatter

Liberty International is leading the gains on tie-up talk speculation, with Westfield Group and GIC Real Estate potential suitors. The real estate giant is up 5.41% to 994. Prudential is higher on reports Ping An Insurance will launch a bid for the company, driving it up 5.23 to 634. HBOS is also higher, 4.6% up to 568.50 so far. Banks are the worst performers this morning, with Royal Bank of Scotland 2.59% down to 357.75 and Lloyds TSB is 2.5% lower to 429.25. British American Tobacco is also struggling, down 2.5% to 1858. In New York, a report on a possible rescue package for bo...