The FTSE 100 has started the session up 40.6 points, or 0.66%, to 6,171.2 in early trading, as positive results news and increased bid speculation in the financial sector is pushing the index higher.
Wolseley is posting the biggest gains so far with a rise of 3.5% to £12.41, closely followed by Prudential which is up 3.37% to 704.5p, while hedge fund manger Man Group has climbed 2.62% to 539.5p. Lloyds TSB is up 3% to 550p, on reports rival bank Barclays is in talks with the Dutch firm ABN, while brewer Whitbread has gained 2.95% to £17.46, although gains are being limited by Tate & Lyle which is down 0.91% to 545p. Unilever is the biggest loser so far with a fall of 1.44% to £15.03, closely followed by Imperial Tobacco Group which has slipped 1.2% to £23.02, while Morrison is down...
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