The FTSE 100 index has gained 35.8 points or 0.6% to 5,879.9 points today with insurer Aviva leading the charge on the back of forecast-beating results.
Aviva has risen 3.73% to 820.5p after it beat analyst expectations with a 29% rise in 2005 operating profit thanks to a strong performance by its general insurance unit. The company says it is confident of further growth in 2006. The strong showing has buoyed peers such as Prudential, up 1.15% to 614p, and Royal & Sun Alliance, 2.13% higher at 132p, at a time when there is already speculation about a takeover in the sector. Rising copper prices have boosted mining stocks with Kazakhmys rising 1.97% to 907p and Xstrata gaining 3.02% to 1,810p. Improved crude oil prices have helped h...
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