The FTSE edged higher at the start of trading today following a strong showing by US stocks yesterday. As at 8.45 GMT, London's leading index was up 0.2%, or 11 points, to 5684.
Banks will be watching the Chancellor's Budget today carefully, with speculation Alistair Darling will give an update on the Government's stakes in Lloyds and RBS. Lloyds was slightly up 0.86% at the start of trading. Thomas Cook and Anglo American are leading the winners board, up 2.35% and 1.21% respectively. Aviva is the morning's loser, down 3.39%. US stocks climbed yesterday on the back of better-than-expected housing data, with the Dow up 0.95%, or 102 points, to finish at 10,888 - its highest showing since September 2008 when it closed at 11,143. Although sales of existing U...
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