Morning Markets: FTSE buoyed by Pru results

The FTSE 100 soared in early trading thanks in part to better-than-expected results from insurance giant Prudential.

London's blue chip index, up 41.95 points (0.89%) to 4758.71, was also buoyed by upbeat economic data from Europe and a strong performance on Wall Street. Advertisement Prudential has gained 5.16% to 503p. The group raised its dividends by 5% and says its IFRS operating profit before tax from continuing operations increased 6% to £688m. Petrofac rocketed 6.22% to 887.5p, while Lonmin added 4.87% to £14.85 and Eurasian Natural Resources climbed 4.52% to 797.5p. However, Thomas Cook Group has plunged 5.91% to 216.4p, as despite posting a rise in revenues in the nine months to 30 Jun...