The FTSE 100 index racked up 23.4 points to close just five points shy of the 5,000 mark on Thursday, led by some big advances from firms including Whitbread and Man Group.
Whitbread leads the way, picking up as much as 75p or 8% to 925p, after a newspaper report revealed private equity companies may bid for the restaurant chain. Investment firm Man Group has also advanced 83p or 6.8% to £13.06, after reporting a 10% increase in fiscal full-year net income to $608m, well above analysts forecasts. Phone company Cable & Wireless, meanwhile, has added 7.25p or 5% to 136.5p, after it announced net income of £98m in the six months ending March. Figures from a year earlier amounted to a £157m loss. Whitbread talks have dragged up stocks in Associated British Food...
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