FTSE powers higher

International Power, the owner of power plants in 17 countries, has climbed 1.6% to 209p. The company has agreed to buy a Texas coal-fired plant from Sempra Energy and Riverstone Holdings. Centrica has added 1.3% to 295p, while Imperial Chemical Industries has gained 2.3% to 371p. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average slid 32.59 points, or 0.2%, to 17,317.53 points, led by consumer lenders on concern profits will be crimped after the Nihon Keizai newspaper reported they have started cutting the interest they charge. Credit Saison dropped 200 yen, or 3.3%, to 5,920 yen, Aiful tumbled ...