Iron ore takes FTSE higher

BHP Billiton has risen 2.1% to 1,171p and Rio Tinto has increased 1.3% to 3,176p, as iron ore price negotiations progress in Asia. Corus Group has advanced 1.2% to 88p after Deutsche Bank raised its stock recommendation to "buy" from "hold" and boosted its price estimate 25% to 100p. PartyGaming has also climbed 4.8% to 135.75p, the biggest percentage increase in the FTSE 100. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average index climbed 245.35 points, or 1.4%, to 17,489.33 points, the highest since 11 July 2000. Honda jumped 420 yen, or 5.7%, to 7,850, the biggest gain since 29 Septembe...