FTSE 100 continues growth

The FTSE 100 maintained its strength to rise 0.87 per cent in early trading.

The index was up 44.77 points to 5,168.90 by 09:03 BST.

Leading the gains was builders merchant Wolseley – up 5.19 per cent – after B&Q owner Kingfisher reported profits were up 39.8 per cent in the first half of the year, although like-for-like sales fell.

Kingfisher itself was up 1.90 per cent.

Fresnillo rose 4.33 per cent and British Airways gained 4.27 per cent.

Tullow Oil was up 3.62 per cent – building on yesterday's gains following reports of an oil strike in Sierra Leone.

London Stock Exchange rose 2.27 per cent after Deutsche Boerse takeover bid rumours.

Sage Group was down 0.97 per cent, Capita fell 0.69 per cent and Man Group dropped 0.36 per cent.

Last night in the US, the Dow closed up 1.12 per cent – adding further wind to the gains in London.

The S&P 500 rose 1.53 per cent.