Strong gains by US stocks on unexpected positive news in the technology and retail sectors helped send US stocks higher, and help the FTSE move up this afternoon to close up 25.50 points at 4,795.90.
Royal & Sun Alliance surged 5.5p, or about 7.5% to 79.25p on rumours us insurer AIG may make a bid. MMO2 gained 5.5p to 111.5p after stating its new goal of growing customer numbers 25% in its financial year in Germany, quashing rumours it wants to find a partner. BHP Billiton gained 14.5p to 593p even after it and diamond distributor De Beers suggested it is getting more difficult for customers to distinguish between artificially created diamonds and those created in laboratories. Gallaher, the tobacco firm, bounced back 13.5p to 714.5p the day after the market hit the stock on ne...
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