FTSE higher as Dow extends gains

New York's index of leading stocks has now gained 9.5% since the close on Monday, its best three-day performance on a percentage basis since 25 November 2008. Bank of America posted the biggest gain, up 18.66% to $5.85, after chief executive Kenneth Lewis announced the bank was profitable in January and February and should be able to ride out the recession without further help from US taxpayers. General Motors was another winner, 17.2% higher to $2.18, after the company said it will not now need the $2bn funding it had requested from the government in March. In the UK, the FTSE 100 ma...