Footsie surges thanks to Wall St

The FTSE 100 Index is up 62.7 points at 4069.6 as investors gain confidence from a healthy close on Wall Street last night.

Insurers are leading the risers, with Aviva jumping 27.5p to 482p after posting nine-month figures in line with forecasts.

Prudential has put on 14p at 448p, Friends Provident has risen 5.25p at 127.75p and Legal & General is 4p stronger at 111p.

Banks have also benefited from the upbeat mood, with Royal Bank of Scotland up 51p at 1511p, Barclays ahead 4.5p at 439.5p and Lloyds TSB 5p heavier at 564p.

Vodafone has also made strong gains, up 4.25p at 102.75p, after releasing details of its consumer phone launch.

Elsewhere, retailers are ahead after official data for September showed high street sales rose 0.4% during the month, broadly in line with expectations.

Next has gained 30.5p to 915.5p, Dixons is up 6p at 185.5p and Kingfisher has risen 7.75p to 224p.

But WPP is on the back foot, slipping 26p to to 424p despite better-than-expected third-quarter figures because of its downbeat outlook.