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Energy firms lift FTSE 100 Energy firms lift FTSE 100
(about 5 hours later)
(Noon): Energy shares helped to lift the market as the price of Brent crude oil held steady near to $80 a barrel. (Close): Energy shares helped to lift the market as the price of Brent crude oil held steady near to $80 a barrel.
Tullow Oil shares rose 3.1% while BP was up 1.1%. Brent crude was trading at $79.26 a barrel, having hit $79.95 earlier in the session. Tullow Oil shares rose 3.6% while BP ticked up 1.2%. Brent crude was trading at $78.78 a barrel, having hit $79.95 earlier in the session.
The benchmark FTSE 100 index was up 27.41 points at 6,699.38. The benchmark FTSE 100 index closed up 37.16 points at 6,709.13.
The mood among investors was also boosted by news of a snap election in Japan, bringing hopes of more stimulus measures in the country.The mood among investors was also boosted by news of a snap election in Japan, bringing hopes of more stimulus measures in the country.
Confidence was also helped by a survey indicating the first rise in German analyst and investor sentiment for nearly a year.Confidence was also helped by a survey indicating the first rise in German analyst and investor sentiment for nearly a year.
The ZEW think tank's monthly survey of confidence rose to 11.5 points in November, well above analysts' expectations.The ZEW think tank's monthly survey of confidence rose to 11.5 points in November, well above analysts' expectations.
Royal Mail was one of the biggest risers in the FTSE 100, climbing 2.5% to 479.30p the day before it is due to release half-year results. Shares in Prudential rose 1.1% after the insurer reported a 17% rise in group new business profit to £1.5bn.
Shares in Prudential were up 0.3%. They had been trading 1.7% higher earlier after the insurer reported a 17% rise in group new business profit to £1.5bn. AstraZeneca shares closed 1.9% higher after its latest trading update. The company, which fought off a bid from US firm Pfizer earlier this year, said its development of new drugs was making good progress.
AstraZeneca shares were flat after its latest trading update. The company, which fought off a bid from US firm Pfizer earlier this year, said its development of new drugs was making good progress. Easyjet shares closed 1.2% lower. The airline reported a 21% rise in full-year profits to £581m for the 12 months to end of September.
Easyjet shares fell 1% before recovering slightly to stand 0.3% lower. The airline reported a 21% rise in full-year profits to £581m for the 12 months to end of September. On the currency markets, sterling rose 0.06% against the dollar to $1.5651 but fell 0.6% against the euro to €1.2483.
On the currency markets, sterling rose 0.13% against the dollar to $1.5662 but fell 0.4% against the euro to €1.2513.