FTSE hits fresh 15-month high as festive run continues

London's blue chip index became the first major stock market to bounce back to the pre-Lehman Brothers collapse levels over the Christmas break, positing its best yearly return since 1997. The FTSE climbed 54% over the last nine months of the year to close 2009 at 5,412.88 points, a gain of 22% over the 12-month period. However, this level was still 22% behind its peak on the last trading day of 1999. Miners were the top performers in 2009 following the rebound in commodity prices, with eight of the top ten moves over the past 12 months. Kazakhmys led the way, up 474.9%; with Vedan...