Northern Rock keeps FTSE steady

Northern Rock topped the list of gainers with a rise of 7.79% to 1,128p, as the mortgage bank raised it long-term target for annual profit growth to 20% from 15% alongside its interim figures. Reuters also performed well with a rise of 5.1% to 396.75p after it lifted its guidance for the full year and said it was increasing its dividend for the first time in five years. The group now expects full year revenue growth of between 5% and 6% on a constant currency basis. Elsewhere ICAP was the biggest drag on the FTSE with a fall of 3.43% to 465.25p, closely followed by Yell which slipped 1....