Mothercare helps FTSE hold onto gains

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The FTSE 100 has made a strong start to the week ending 37.2 points, or 0.69%, higher to close the day at 5460.80, after a good performance from Scottish Power and Mothercare.

Scottish Power climbed 18p, or 3.2%, to 578p, after newspaper reports revealed E.ON AG, Germany's largest utility, has begun talks to buy Scottish Power for as much as £12bn. Mothercare, a retailer of children's and baby products, surged 9.1% to 370p, after reports Apax Partners Worldwide LLP and others may be interested in buying the business for about 400p a share. Chrysalis Group also climbed 1p, or 0.7%, to 136.5p, after the owner of London's Heart 106.2 FM and LBC radio stations agreed to sell its unprofitable books unit to Anova Books Company to allow it to focus on money-making...

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