The FTSE 100 is up 9.4 points, or 0.15%, to 6,229.7 in early trading as bid speculation is now focusing on property stocks.
Hammerson is posting the biggest gains with a rise of 4.47% to £17.29, closely followed by Land Securities which is up 1.93% to £21.65, while Cadbury Schweppes has advanced 2.05% to 648p. SABMiller has climbed 1.85% to £11.02, while insurer Aviva has added 1.65% to 771.5p, although gains are being limited by Whitbread which has slipped 1.81% to £18.99 as investors wait to see if yesterday’s bid speculation results in an offer. Bradford & Bingley are the biggest losers so far with a drop of 3.47% to 445.25p, closely followed by HSBC Holdings which declined 1.73% to 882.5p, while Smiths...
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