FTSE 100 jumps on German court ruling
The leading share index was up in early trading, as investors reacted positively to news that German judges ruled in favour of the Eurozone’s rescue fund.
Meanwhile, holding company Chesnara led the fallers on the FTSE All-Share, down 6.87 per cent.
Embattled platinum miner Lonmin shed 5.56 per cent, as strikes continued at its Marikana mine in South Africa.
Housebuilder Barratt Developments lost 3.71 per cent in early trading, despite reporting today a strong bounce in profits over the year.
Other natural resources-focused firms in this morning’s fallers included Russian oil and gas company Ruspetro and miner Anglo American, down three per cent and 2.86 per cent respectively. It is understood that Anglo American’s platinum subsidiary is also suffering from worker intimidation at one of its South African mines.
Gaming group 888 Holdings and Dixons Retail fell by 2.77 per cent and 2.6 per cent respectively.
With regards to the risers, retailer Laura Ashley added six per cent in early trade on the back of a positive trading update.
Workspace Group, which provides commercial property to let throughout London, was up 3.08 per cent in early deals.
Medical technology firm Optos and sensor technology firm TT Electronics enjoyed a good early trade, up 2.86 per cent and 2.56 per cent respectively.
Accountancy software group Sage was up 1.83 per cent on rumours of a takeover bid.
UK banks led the FTSE 100 up this morning. RBS and Lloyds Banking Group were both up 2.62 per cent while Barclays rose 1.03 per cent. Only HSBC was down, by 0.04 per cent.
In Asia, the Nikkei hit a two-week closing high, up 1.73 per cent. In the US the Dow Jones closed up 0.52 per cent.