FTSE continuing on the up

The FTSE 100 Index looked set to close at a new 18-month high today as the London market built on its strong performance of yesterday.

With the Footsie up 29.9 points to 4545.5 by lunchtime, analysts were optimistic the key close-of-trading landmark of 4518 would be breached.

Today’s performance added to the 70-point rise of last night, when financial stocks benefited from buoyant results from Royal Bank of Scotland.