The London market continued to fluctuate today as the FTSE 100 Index surged by nearly 100 points on the back of a late rally in the US.
By 9 a.m., the Footsie was 95.6 points stronger at 4325.6 to put back around half the losses achieved during yesterday's dismal session.
Positive news from computer firms Dell and Juniper Networks after the bell on Wall Street added gloss to the late rally in US markets.
With the tech-laden Nasdaq finishing in positive territory there was plenty of interest in London telecom stocks.
Mobile phone giant Vodafone led the charge, up 6 per cent, while BT added 5 pence at 246 pence and mmO2 rose to 46p.
Cable & Wireless, which is due to issue a trading statement at its AGM today, improved 6 pence to 167 pence.
Among companies reporting today, London Stock Exchange rose 4 pence to 410 pence after announcing an 8 per cent rise in first-quarter turnover while retailer Blacks Leisure picked up 13 pence to 256 pence on the back of a positive trading statement.
PA