FTSE shares end up
Stocks in London advanced on Friday as investors became more optimistic over upbeat data and corporate results.
The FTSE 100 index of leading shares gained 0.37 percent to 4,576.61 points.
Vodafone was the most widely traded stock, seeing 259 million units change hands, followed by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), which saw 122 million shares switch owners.
The London Stock Exchange was the biggest winner, up 28.50 pence -- or 4.31 percent -- to finish at 689.5, followed by 3I Group, which gained 9.75 pence -- or 3.85 percent -- to stand at 262.75.
The casualties were Pennon Group, which shed 24.25 pence -- or 4.94 percent -- to finish at 466.25 and Compass, losing 13 pence -- or 3.98 percent -- to end at 313.25.
Elsewhere, the pound ended lower against the dollar and the euro.
Sterling was worth 1.6427 US dollars at 15:58 BST, up from 1.6479 at Thursday's close, while it slipped to 1.1564 euros from 1.1646 over the same period.
Copyright 2009  AFP European Edition
