THE FTSE 100 Index pushed nearly 2% higher yesterday as shares were buoyed by healthy economic signs from the Eurozone.
A surprise pick-up in Eurozone manufacturing and service sector activity in July for the UK’s biggest trading partner added to recovery hopes and helped the London market add 99.2 points, to 5313.8.
UK banks gained ground following strong figures from US counterparts as markets awaited stress test results due from 91 banks today.
The pound enjoyed a strong day against the dollar – rising to almost 1.53 – although it slipped again to 1.18 against the euro. UK estimates for Q2 GDP could provide another boost.
The biggest Footsie risers were Rolls- Royce, up 32p at 611.5p, Invensys, up 14.5p at 295p, Kazakhmys, ahead 57p at 1163p and Cable & Wireless Worldwide, up 3.05p, at 68.75p.
The biggest fallers were Autonomy, down 164p to 1649p, Imperial Tobacco, off 55p at 1853p, African Barrick Gold, down 12.5p at 581p and Royal Bank of Scotland, down 0.5p, to 44.7p.
