Pru boosts FTSE in early trading

The insurer is up 4.39% to 785p, after reports a fund manager with a substantial holding in the company wrote to the chairman asking him to explain the Board’s thinking on a potential break-up. Meanwhile, Unilever is up 3.79% to £16.15, closely followed by Rolls-Royce Group which has added 2.43% to 495p, while Royal Dutch Shell has climbed 2.1% to £18.45. British American Tobacco has also advanced 2.1% to £16.03, as it reported 10% growth in earnings during the first quarter, but warned currency issues would affect annual growth. Shire is the biggest loser with a drop of 1.29% to £11...