FTSE hits five-year high

THE British FTSE 100 Index yesterday rose to a five-year high. Corus Group Plc led gains after it agreed to sell most of its aluminum unit and reported better-than- expected profit.

Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Group Plc, and BT Group Plc, climbed amid takeover speculation. Prudential Plc advanced after the insurer posed a 58% lift in earnings.

The FTSE 100 climbed 28.1 to 5993.2, the highest since March 8, 2001.

The FTSE All-Share Index added 15.84, or 0.5%, to 3057.87.