Water sends FTSE higher

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The FTSE 100 is up 50.5 points, or 0.86%, to 5,942.7 in early trading as water stocks rose following takeover speculation.

Water utility AWG has gained 10.79% to £15.09, as the company, which is worth £2.2bn announced it has been approached about a possible takeover offer, although the potential bidder remains unknown. Kelda, the owner of Yorkshire Water, has added 4.3% to 846p to lead the risers, while United Utilities is up 3.6% to 710.5p, and Severn Trent Plc, the second-biggest water utility in the country, has added 3.3% to £13.63. And Aviva Plc, the UK's biggest insurer, has gained 1.4% to 779.5p after saying it plans to cut 11% of its workforce, or 4,000 jobs, to try and reduce costs and increase p...

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