The FTSE 100 built on yesterday’s gain helped by more bid speculation around bookie Entain and another slew of new highs for markets on Wall Street.
The S&P 500 passed 38,000 for the first time overnight and the good mood in the US spread across the Atlantic with Footsie up 34 at 7,522 in early dealings. Entain is still going strong after the bid yesterday for Swedish rival and 32 Red owner Kindred, while Primark owner AB Foods is up slightly after revenues bounced back in its first quarter.
Housebuilder Persimmon got a lift from a report that the government is considering 99% mortgages for first-time buyers. News that UK borrowing came in well below forecasts for December suggests the Chancellor might have the cash to afford such a scheme.
Among the small caps, currency specialist Cornerstone FS climbed another 10% on an agreement to launch a corporate credit card scheme with Mastercard.