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Taylor Wimpey leads FTSE 100 higher Taylor Wimpey leads FTSE 100 higher
(about 4 hours later)
(Open): The FTSE 100 rose in early trade, lifted by Taylor Wimpey after the housebuilder announced plans for a special dividend. (Noon): Shares in Taylor Wimpey helped to lift the FTSE 100 after the housebuilder announced plans for a special dividend.
Shares in Taylor Wimpey were 3.8% higher at 192p on news it would pay a £300m special dividend in July 2017 and increase its ordinary dividend. Shares in Taylor Wimpey were 5.1% higher at 194.3p on news it would pay a £300m special dividend in July 2017 and increase its ordinary dividend.
It added the market for new homes remained "very positive" and it was "on track to deliver good progress".It added the market for new homes remained "very positive" and it was "on track to deliver good progress".
The FTSE 100 index was 38.38 points, or 0.6%, higher at 6,189.78. At midday, the FTSE 100 index was 32.45 points, or 0.5%, higher at 6,183.85.
On the currency markets, the pound rose after a couple of polls ahead of the referendum on EU membership indicated the Remain camp was ahead of the Leave. Shares in Vodafone climbed 2.3% to 228.8p as investors welcomed the latest results from the mobile phone giant.
The pound was up by more than a cent against the dollar at $1.4518, and gained 0.7%, nearly one euro cent, against the euro to €1.2815. Vodafone said its underlying business was now growing for the first time since 2008, and reported a 2.7% increase in full-year earnings to £11.6bn.
On the currency markets, the pound rose sharply in early trade before giving up some of the gains after figures from the Office for National Statistics showed the inflation rate fell to 0.3% in April, down from 0.5% in March.
At midday, the pound was up 0.5% against the dollar at $1.4477, and was also 0.5% higher against the euro at €1.2786.