Telecoms keep FTSE in buoyant mood

A buoyant performance by telecoms stocks ensured the FTSE 100 Index held on to early gains today to wrap up a positive end to the week.

Sector heavyweights O2 and Vodafone claimed the top two spots on the risers board as the Footsie survived a sell-off on Wall Street to close 9.1 points higher at 4971.8.