The FTSE 100 Index has gained 31.30 points, or 0.5%, to 5824.80 points this morning led by British Land after it reported an increase in the net value of its assets.
British Land has risen 20p, or 1.7%, to 1,206p. Its net asset value, commonly used to evaluate the performance of property companies, has increased to 1,390p a share at 31 December from 1,256p at 30 September. Rolls-Royce has gained 4.5p, or 1.1%, to 432p. Merrill Lynch has upgraded the stock to "buy" from "neutral". Xstrata has also risen 23p, or 1.4%, to 1,631p, while Rio Tinto has added 47p, or 1.7%, to 2,781p. Copper futures have risen amid speculation investment funds seeking returns unavailable in bond and equity markets will keep buying the metal. Copper prices in London have sur...
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