Takeover speculation helps FTSE move forward

Bid talk surrounding fund-management firms and a strong performance from Vodafone helped the FTSE 100 Index move further from the 6,000 barrier today.

Heavyweight stocks Vodafone and HSBC were ahead by almost 3% and 2% respectively, boosting the Footsie, which extended its positive start to the week to close 41.8 points up at 6072.7.