The FTSE 100 closed up 72.7 points to 4,515.6 at the end of London trading on Thursday, its biggest gain in five months, thanks to improved profits at Royal Bank of Scotland.
RBS gained 66p to 1,701p after the banking group reported net income for 2003 increased 17% to £2.32bn, boosted by acquisitions and a rise in UK lending. BHP Billiton also advanced 28p to 507.5p after the mining company reported sales rose 49% in the fiscal second-quarter after on the back of metals and iron ore purchases in China. Reed Elsevier, the publishing house, managed to maintain its earlier gains and closed the day up 37.25p to 487.25p as 2003 net income rose 85% to £334m on lower amortisation costs. Amstrad also jumped 9.25p to 185p. The company, which makes consumer ele...
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