Shares upbeat as HSBC boosts

FootsieLONDON shares ended the week on a positive note today as HSBC helped to push the FTSE 100 Index further away from the 4000 barrier.

The City's fourth-biggest stock rose 7% as investors re-appraised yesterday's £9 billion purchase of US credit firm Household International.

Oil giants BP and Shell also moved higher while battered telecoms group Cable & Wireless finally recovered some ground, albeit a rise of just 1.25p.