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Traders saw Britain's top share index rise again in this morning's dealing, as banks swept forward on the back of strong gains posted by European counterparts, reports Reuters.
Jimmy Yates, head of equities at CMC Markets, observed: "The major European banks are echoing the outperformance of their US peers and that has helped lift optimism."
Pharmaceuticals also posted gains, with Astrazeneca leading the field, expanding three per cent following disappointing performances in two previous sessions.
Oil giant BP also floated slightly, increasing share by 0.5 per cent, having released a new statement on its handling of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Last week the Times reported its beleaguered boss, Tony Hayward, is to step down as head of the company in the autumn.
Today the company confirmed this rumour, naming Robert Dudley, the US executive in charge of managing the ecological disaster, as his successor.
Posted by Sara Secker
