FTSE rises on technology hopes

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News that Europe's biggest semiconductor maker STMicroelectronics is expecting better sales in the next year helped send technology stocks higher, and push the FTSE up by 49.10 points to 4,406.70 by the close.

MmO2 gained 4.25p to 103.75p to lead the gainers after weekend reports the firm may exceed analysts’ expectations when it reports results on Wednesday. Sage, the accounting software maker, gained 6p to 185.5p. GKN gained 5.75p to 246.5p after the head of its aerospace unit quit “for personal reasons”. BP added 9.5p to 445p after saying it sees production growing by 5% annually through 2008. British Airways closed up5.75p at 286.25p after reports it could be seeking a deal to offload its loss-making online booking venture Opodo. Investors dumped sin stocks, sending Diageo do...

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