FTSE makes further progress beyond 3-yr high

The retail store has picked up 5.75p to 250.5p, along with Old Mutual, which has so far added 2.25p to 119.25p, after reporting earlier in the week its 2004 results increased 3% under new European industry accounting principles. Drugmakers GlaxoKlineSmith and Shire Pharmaceuticals both advanced 15p to £13.75 and 6.5p to 624p respectively, the later maintaining its buy rating from analysts. On the losing side, water company Severn Trent has retreated 30p to £10.03, with Land Securities Group losing 26p to £14.40. Mining stocks also declined, including BHP Billiton, which is down 11p to...