M&A news pushes FTSE past 6,600

Reuters Group led the advance with gains of 25.09% to 615.75p, as it confirmed it has received a preliminary bid approach, although the interested parties have not been named. Hanson also ended higher with gains of 4.44% to £10.71, following yesterday’s news that HeidelbergCement is considering an offer for the company, while ICAP climbed 4.9% to 535p. In the mining sector Rio Tinto added 4.65% to £33.10, while BHP Billiton added 4.55% to £12.18, although gains were limited by British Airways which slipped 0.88% to 507p, and Drax fell 0.9% to 775p. Barclays was the biggest loser wi...