Gains for FTSE

The FTSE 100 Index returned above the 5900 barrier today as the London market overcame the impact of the UK's big freeze on travel and retail stocks.

A decent session for mining and utility companies and thin pre-Christmas volumes meant the FTSE 100 Index rallied 33.6 points to 5905.3, a gain of 0.5% and broadly similar to the two-and-a-half year high seen earlier this month.