FTSE closes at 5000

The FTSE 100 Index closed at the 5000 barrier for the first time since 2002 today as Dulux owner ICI added the gloss to a positive day for blue-chip stocks.

Relief that annual profits of ICI had held up in the wake of record rises in oil prices during the final three months of 2004 made its shares the top riser, up 12% or 29p to 275p.