The FTSE 100 index has ended the day above the 6,400 mark with gains of 39.4 points, or 0.62%, to 6,421.2, as bid speculation, stronger positions for mining firms and positive news from the US all combined to push the index higher.
Wolseley posted the biggest gains with a rise of 7.24% to £14.07, following rumours of private equity interest, while Man Group climbed 3.02% to 579p, and Smith & Nephew gained 2.95% to 637.25p. Miners also performed well with Vedanta Resources up 5.35% to £12.80, while Xstrata added 3.49% to £24.88, although gains were limited by Scottish & Southern Energy which slipped 0.72% to £15.26. Drax Group was the biggest loser with a fall of 1.78% to 662p, closely followed by Carnival which fell 0.94% to £26.33, while Tate & Lyle slipped 0.84% to 592.5p, and Sainsbury dropped 0.68% to 514.5p. ...
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