M&A deals power FTSE to near year high

Shortly before 15.00, London's blue chip index had advanced 0.92%, or 53 points, to 5866 - edging near to the 5,875 it closed at on November 5. Miners have held on to their early gains, with Fresnillo, Kazakhmys and Antofagasta out in front and making impressive gains. But it is activity in the M&A sector - where five new deals were announced - which is powering the upward surge. Other than GE Partners' £800m agreed takeover of British oil services group Wellstream, all other deals involved UK companies snapping up foreign entities. Household products group Reckitt Benckiser has...