FTSE takes to the skies

British Airways was the best performer, jumping 4.70% to £4.85 after it announced it had agreed a funding plan to tackle its £2.1bn deficit. Life insurer Old Mutual gained 3.64% to £1.78 after Bear Stearns stuck with its "outperform" recommendation on the shares and lifted its price target to £2.15 from £2.00. Royal & Sun Alliance rose 2.53% to £1.52, Friends Provident gained 1.29% to £2.15 and Prudential increased 1.77% to £6.61. Vodafone rose 2.58% to £1.39 after Deutsche Bank turned buyer from its previous “hold” stance and lifted its price target to £1.55 from £1.25 following th...