Shares in London closed higher this evening, lifted by a solid opening on Wall St as investors looked ahead with optimism towards US fourth quarter earnings. The FTSE 100 closed 21.30 points higher at 4,461.40, just off the session high of 4,464. On Wall St, the Dow Jones gained 0.70pc as investors awaited earnings from Intel, due after the closing bell. The banking stocks provided most of the support in London, with Royal Bank of Scotland up 23p to 1698 and HSBC rising 4p to 862. Barclays added 8.50p to 519.5.
On the second line, internet bank Egg surged 17.50, or 14pc, to a142.50 on speculation that credit card company MBNA may bid for the business. Marks & Spencer, Britain's largest clothing retailer, rose 2p to 276.25 after it fired head of clothing David Norgrove after reporting weaker than expected sales in the 15 weeks to January 10. Dixons rose 7.75p to 153.50 after the electrical retailer posted first half profit in line with expectations and unveiled Christmas sales that were better than most forecasts. //www.fxcentre.com