Footsie falls just short of 5900 mark

The London market again tested highs not seen for nearly five years today as the FTSE 100 Index spent much of the day above the 5900 mark.

Bid activity and speculation on both sides of the Atlantic drove the Footsie above 5900 before it settled back to close the session up 39.1 points at 5897.8 - its highest level since the end of the dotcom boom.