FTSE hits seven-year high despite N. Rock fall

Johnson Matthey became the index's best performing stock, rising 202 points, or 12.07%, to 1876p. Royal Dutch Shell B rose 18 points, or 0.88%, to 2059p. BP rose five points, or 0.81%, to 624p. Royal Dutch Shell A rose 14 points, or 0.68%, to 2059p. Tate & Lyle rose one point, or 0.23%, to 434p. Northern Rock fell 58.5 points, or 21.41%, to 214.75p despite takeover talks. DSG International fell 9.1 points, or 6.3%, to 135.4p. Alliance & Leicester fell 46.5 points, or 5.81%, to 754p. Royal Bank of Scotland Group fell 28 points, or 5.13%, to 518p. Legal & General Group fell 7.2 poin...