Morning Markets: FTSE higher as China posts strong growth

Shortly after opening, London's leading share index was up 0.10%, or 5.59 points, to 5,801. Banking stocks are among the morning's winners, following JPMorgan Chase's solid results in the US yesterday. Profits at the giant jumped 55% in Q1, fuelled by a strong showing from its investment banking business. Royal Bank of Scotland was up 1.22% and Barclays up 1.08%. The UK's blue chip index has been buoyed by news the Chinese economy grew by 11.9% in Q1. Global markets have also been boosted by US economic optimism from Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke. Yesterday, the Dow clos...