Investors have bought shares ahead of the Bank of England's interest rate decision due by noon today, helping the FTSE 100 index gain about 21 points to 4,490.
Also helping the market is news internet firm Yahoo, which has reported better than expected first quarter results, and is due to offer a stock split, and PC maker Dell, which upgraded its outlook. Tesco leads the gainers with an 8p rise to 249p as some analysts say defensive stocks will do better in a rising interest rate environment. Imperial Tobacco likewise is up 38p to 1,198p. 3i, the technology venture capitalist, is up 14p to 614p. Marks & Spencer has dropped 6.25p to 277p after Credit Suisse First Boston lowered its recommendation on the stock ahead of results due by nex...
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