Strong Wall St drives FTSE early

Hospitality giants Whitbread lead the way, up 54 points, or 3.11%, to 1793. MAN GROUP, the alternative investment provider, is having a strong morning, climbing 15 points, or 2.55%, to 604 – while Vodafone also started well, up 4 points, or 4.44%, to 167.8. Despite this morning’s announcement of a strong full-year performance, drinks giant Diageo has lost the most ground early, falling 12 points, or 1.13% to 1053. In New York, strong performances from General Motors, Merck & Co and Exxon Mobil took the Dow Jones up 90.07 points, or 0.68%, to 13427.73. General Motors was the day’s b...