FTSE soars as Obama unveils US stimulus

Shortly before 10am, the index had advanced more than 4.5% to climb above 4,250 thanks in large part to impressive gains for Prudential. Analysts last week said the insurer's capital and liquidity remain adequate helping the stock climb more than 12% on Monday. Construction supplier Wolseley and natural gas firm BG Group also made significant gains while Standard Chartered was the only firm hit with a noteworthy loss. Shares in Lloyds TSB are also up over 10% this morning as investors await the start of a legal challenge against the group's takeover of HBOS. A self-appointed group o...