In London, markets jumped forward in early trading following news that JP Morgan is to raise its offer for Bear Stearns, with the FTSE 100 adding 168.6 points (3.07%) to 5,663.8.
HBOS made the biggest early gains, up 55.25 (11.66%) to 529p following some major losses last week, while Yell Group added 15.6 points (11.30%) to 153.6. Morrison was among just two stocks which fell in value, down 0.5 points (0.18%) to 279p. BAE Systems accompanied Morrison with a loss of 0.75 (0.16%) to 470.25. On Wall Street, the news of a higher offer for Bear Stearns turned the market positive, with the Dow Jones adding 187.32 points (1.52%) to 12,548.64. General Motors added 0.88 (4.51%) to 20.38, while Home Depot benefited from a rally among homebuilders, up 1.2 (4.28%) to 29.26....
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