The FTSE 100 index gained 72.7 points or 1.3% to 5,725 points today, led by International Power, after the company benefited from M&A activity in the US.
International Power rose 5.36% to 289.75p while Scottish and Southern Energy gained 3.86% to £11.30 after it said it enjoyed a good year in which profits increased more than 19% thanks to significant growth at the generation and supply business. British Energy Group advanced 3.75% to 692p in sympathy. Insurer Friends Provident rose 2.45% to 177.5p after Credit Suisse upgraded the shares to "outperform" from "underperform" and hiked its price target to 218p from 172p. Miners came back from earlier declines, with Anglo American ending up 1.80% to 2,154p, Xstrata rose 2.97% to £20.80,...
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