This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/8246846.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
FTSE breaks through 5,000 level FTSE breaks through 5,000 level
(20 minutes later)
Leading UK shares have risen to their highest level for almost a year, with the FTSE 100 index rising above 5,000 points.Leading UK shares have risen to their highest level for almost a year, with the FTSE 100 index rising above 5,000 points.
Shares have risen this week on the back of merger activity, with US Kraft Foods making a £10.2bn bid for UK chocolate maker Cadbury.Shares have risen this week on the back of merger activity, with US Kraft Foods making a £10.2bn bid for UK chocolate maker Cadbury.
This has encouraged investors to think that risk appetite has returned to markets and that the recession is over.This has encouraged investors to think that risk appetite has returned to markets and that the recession is over.
Rising commodity prices have also helped to boost stocks.Rising commodity prices have also helped to boost stocks.
The index closed up 57 points, or 1.2%, at 5004.30. It has not been this high since October last year.The index closed up 57 points, or 1.2%, at 5004.30. It has not been this high since October last year.
European shares also performed well, with France's Cac 40 index rising 1.3% and Germany's Dax index climbing 1.7%.
Upbeat dataUpbeat data
The FTSE has been rising since March, with confidence steadily building that the UK economy will soon come out of recession.The FTSE has been rising since March, with confidence steadily building that the UK economy will soon come out of recession.
Upbeat economic data released this week has helped to convince many investors that recovery is already underway.Upbeat economic data released this week has helped to convince many investors that recovery is already underway.
On Tuesday, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research said the economy grew 0.2% in the three months to August. In its eyes, therefore, the UK recession is officially over, although it did warn that "normal economic conditions" had not returned.On Tuesday, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research said the economy grew 0.2% in the three months to August. In its eyes, therefore, the UK recession is officially over, although it did warn that "normal economic conditions" had not returned.
On the same day, figures also showed UK manufacturing output rising at its fastest rate in 18 months in July.On the same day, figures also showed UK manufacturing output rising at its fastest rate in 18 months in July.
Earlier on Wednesday, a comprehensive survey of recruitment agencies also found that UK jobs market was starting to show signs of recovery.Earlier on Wednesday, a comprehensive survey of recruitment agencies also found that UK jobs market was starting to show signs of recovery.