Vodafone and Prudential lift FTSE mood

Heavyweight stocks Vodafone and Prudential lifted the spirits of investors today after both delivered updates at the top end of expectations.

The sales reports initially pushed the FTSE 100 Index 17 points higher before the top flight eased to stand 4.3 points higher at 4847.5 by mid-morning. A figure above 4854.1 – achieved earlier this month – would represent the highest close since June 2002.