The FTSE climbed 73.15 points (1.76%) to 4,220.21 shortly after opening this morning as Barclays soared 19.80p (20.20%) to 117.80 on the back of claims its earnings will beat forecasts and the Government's plans to inject billions more pounds into UK banks.
Overall financials were up 1.32%, with Lloyds gaining 2.50p (2.54%) to 100.90 following an announcement it had traded satisfactorily since November while HSBC rose 3.25p (0.61%) to 539.00. However, RBS remained in the doldrums plummeting 5.20p (14.99%) to 29.50 having revealed it will post a record-breaking loss of up to £28bn. The Government is reported to be preparing to take 70% ownership. Meanwhile miners dominated the gainers with the sector rising 3.82%. Xstrata was up 31.00p (4.18%) to 773.00, Lonmin gained 60.00p (7.14%) to 900.00 and Vedanta climbed 15.50 (2.56%) 620.50. Inves...
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