The FTSE 100 index added 43.20 points, or 0.7%, to 5,877 points today, led by Compass Group.
The catering supplier gained 3.53% to 271.50p following the sale of its travel concessions unit. Mortgage lender Northern Rock rose 3.80% to 1,038p on the back of reports it could consider a possible merger with Bradford & Bingley. Bradford & Bingley advanced 0.97% to 469.25p. Supermarket William Morrison rose 3.73% to 201.75p after speculation the group is being targeted by a consortium of private equity houses looking to make a £6bn bid for the firm. BP advanced 1.27% to 638.50p, Royal Dutch Shell gained 1.43% to 1,918p and BG Group rose 1.87% to 736p after crude prices slipped from...
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