HBOS spearheads FTSE charge

After yo-yoeing above and below the mark for much of the morning, the blue-chip index had climbed to 5,031.22 by 11.15am, a jump of more than 71 points, or 1.44%. HBOS tops the winners table in reponse to renewed confidence in the takeover deal by Lloyds TSB. It has added 29.1p, or 19.65%, to its share price, which now stands at 177.2p, while Lloyds TSB is enjoying 7.1% rise on its stock value to 267.75. Marks & Spencer Group is also an early mover, advancing more than 20p (9.63%) to 230.5. Next and Wolseley are also in the black. Marginal losses for Cairn Energy, Royal & Sun Alliance an...