FTSE up as optimism increases

Northern Rock made a significant recovery, up 34.25 points, or 19.86%, to 206.75p, though this is well short of its price at the end of August, and British Land added 55 points, or 5.04%, to £11.47. Hammerson gained 51 points, or 4.45%, to £11.96, British Energy added 21 points, or 3.79%, to 575p, while Taylor Wimpey climbed 9.75 points, or 3.39%, to 297.25p. Kazakhmys lost 39 points, or 2.6%, to £14.63, Persimmon dropped 25 points, or 2.4%, to £10.15, while Wolseley fell 18.5 points, or 2.12%, to 855p. On Wall Street, shares rose in early trading as traders await quarterly reports and...