FTSE hits four-and-a-half-year high

Strong results from some of Europe’s heavyweight companes ensured the FTSE 100 Index surged back to a four-and-a-half-year high today.

Zurich Financial Services and Guinness drinks giant Diageo were among stocks to boost morale as the Footsie cast aside recent uncertainty to close 37.4 points higher at 5828.9 – the highest level since the summer of 2001.