The FTSE 100 Index moved closer to the 6000 mark today after further evidence of a US recovery triggered gains of more than 1%.
Retail sales in the world’s biggest economy rose at the fastest rate for five months in February, continuing the trend of upbeat economic data in recent weeks.
London’s leading shares index closed 63.2 points higher at 5,955.61 and insurers Standard Life and Prudential were on the front foot after their full-year results got a positive response from investors.
Edinburgh-based Standard bettered expectations, meaning its shares lifted by as much as 2% early on before closing 0.9p higher at 238.5p, while Prudential’s shares were up 35p or 5% to 763p.
Among other financial stocks, HSBC rose 16.3p to 572.4p, while Barclays was up 3.7p at 239.6p.
Taxpayer-backed Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland were also higher after they revealed plans to cut 1,300 and 464 jobs respectively. Lloyds improved 0.9p to 34.6p and RBS lifted 0.4p to 25.8p.
The biggest faller was Chilean miner Antofagasta amid disappointment at the size of its dividend payment in full-year results. Shares were 29p lower at £12.41.
There was also a fall of 6p to 283.5p for security firm G4S, offsetting recent gains, after full-year profits fell 17% to £279million.
The biggest Footsie risers included Vedanta Resources ahead 61p at £14.30, International Airlines Group up 7.2p at 170.4p and Intercontinental Hotels Group ahead 49p at £14.97.
The biggest Footsie fallers included Randgold Resources down 55p at £71.10 and Shire off 14p at £22.30.
Alan MacPhee, of investment manager and financial planning specialist Brewin Dolphin in Aberdeen, noted Weir Group rose 2.63% to £19.92, with oil services businesses Hunting rising 2.24% to 934.75p and Wood Group up 1.74% to 729p.
Among the laggards Parkmead dropped 3.57% to 20p, Xcite Energy giving back 1.35% to 127.625p and Aberdeen Asset Management down 0.31% to 255.9p.