World markets stormed ahead today after forecast-beating results from both sides of the Atlantic.
The FTSE 100 Index rallied 2% or 125.5 points to 6,406.1, led higher by blue chips ARM Holdings and Primark parent Associated British Foods following better-than-expected trading updates.
ARM was the biggest FTSE 100 riser after it delivered a 44% hike in underlying pre-tax profits to £89.4million in the first quarter, helping shares jump 12% or 103p to 972p.
Associated British Foods followed with a 149p improvement to £19.99 after it reported another strong trading period for retail division Primark.
Elsewhere in the retail sector, shares in Carpetright were 7p higher at 637p after it said underlying UK sales were up by 5.6% in the 12 weeks to Saturday, helped by the impact of cold spring weather on demand for home improvement projects.
There was also relief for investors in Premier Foods after the Mr Kipling and Oxo owner issued a steady trading update, with branded sales 2.2% higher to £275million during the first three months of the year thanks to a marketing push. Shares rose 2.25p to 73.75p.
The biggest FTSE 100 risers included Prudential, 64p higher at £10.96, and CRH up 72p to £13.87.
The biggest FTSE 100 fallers were Fresnillo down 24p to £10.92, Antofagasta off 8.5p to 884p, Tullow Oil 9p lower at £10.37 and Randgold Resources down 39p to £48.31.
Mark Ireland, of investment manager and financial planning specialist Brewin Dolphin in Inverness, noted that risers included Aberdeen Asset Management up 4.5% to 416p, Optos gaining 4.3% to 168.13p and Premier Oil rising 4.2% to 366.3p.
Fallers included Rangers Football Club off 3.3% at 57.5p, Celtic Football Club down 2.8% at 57.5p and Havelock Europa 2.7% lower at 17.25p.