FTSE flying high on BAE systems

Dixons, Britain's largest electronics retailer, has added 2.75p, or 1.8%, to 156.75p after it 16-week sales at UK electrical stores open at least a year fell 3%. Analysts had expected a drop of 4.5% to 8%. BAE, Europe's largest defence contractor, advanced 5p, or 1.5 %, to 335.25p as it announced first-half net income increased more than fourfold to £317m as sales of the Airbus SAS aircraft rose, military programs were more profitable and goodwill costs fell. Alliance & Leicester, Britain's eighth-largest bank, is pacing those in decline down 16p, or 1.8%, to 867p. Buyers of the share...