FTSE posts fifth day of gains

Share prices in London reacted to the expected onset of hostilities in the Gulf by posting a fifth successive session of gains today.

But the FTSE 100 Index fluctuated markedly, swinging from 30.8 points down in the first hour to 81 points ahead at lunchtime. As the afternoon progressed the index tempered its midday gains to close up 18.1 points at 3765.