As BP reported record quarterly profits the FTSE managed to add about 5 points to 4,569, helped by news from the world of advertising and consolidation moves in the insurance sector.
WPP is up 9p to 532.5p as advertising spending in the US remains high ahead of the presidential elections there. Friends Provident is up 2.25p to 137.75p after announcing a deal to buy Lombard International Insurance for 265m euros in shares. Prudential has followed, up 4.75p to 393.5p. Royal & Sun Alliance is up 0.75p to 74.5p. BP is down 3.5p to 534p despite reporting a 53% increase in quarterly profits, after it said oil prices could be pressed if the US gets production in the Gulf of Mexico up to speed again following a disastrous hurricane season. Unilever is down 2.75p ...
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