Telecoms equipment maker Ericsson reported better than expected numbers this morning, followed by better than expected manufacturing figures from the US this afternoon, both combining to send the FTSE up 25 points to 4,410.70 by the close.
Reuters added 13p to 400p as ratings agency Fitch maintained its investment grade rating on the firm. However, it was Vodafone that did most to help the index up thanks to its weighting, closing up 2p at 130.75p. Aviva gained 15.5p to 543.5p to lead the insurers. BHP Billiton led the miners with a 11.5p rise to 507.5p as the rand fell against the dollar, boosting profits of companies digging coal and metals out of the ground in South Africa. Intercontinental dropped 3p to 494p after revealing former chairman Ian Prosser left the company in December last year with a £11.4m pensio...
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