Morning Markets: Lloyds and HBOS drive FTSE forward

Trading in London was buoyed by a positive reaction to the merger of Lloyds TSB and HBOS, pushing th...

Trading in London was buoyed by a positive reaction to the merger of Lloyds TSB and HBOS, pushing the FTSE100 up 0.41% to 4,297.96. HBOS shares jumped 9.33% to 73.8p, while Lloyds TSB gained 5.39% to 136.9p after HBOS shareholders accepted the deal last week. Miners were lifted by news that the US government may make a second push to save its flagging car manufacturers. Eurasian added 6.33%, while Xstrata climbed 5.02%. Transport firms saw their shares fall over fears the recession will reduce commuter numbers, with FirstGroup down 5.7%, while Stagecoach dropped 4.14%. Wall Street c...