FTSE rises on oil and M&S

The FTSE 100 index is up just 6.2 points or only 0.1% to 6230 in early trading, as Yell – producer of the Yellow Pages – has reported its first-half profits fell. As a result, Yell’s share value is down 22p or 3.5% to 603p but in contrast Marks & Spencer is up 8p or 1.2% to 664.5p as its earnings are up thanks to its new clothing range and advertising programme. Rio Tinto gained 20p or 0.7% to £30.05 after the oil price rose above $60 a barrel again in New York yesterday and the copper futures in Shanghai rose again. BP has also earned an extra 5p or 0.9% to 595p while rival Royal Dutch ...