The FTSE edged slightly higher this morning, buoyed by upbeat earnings announcements from AstraZeneca and BAE Systems.
By 8.45am the benchmark was 10.4 points, or 0.2%, higher at 5,330.03. The rise was mirrored by the Germans Dax index, up 0.09%, and France's Cac 40, up 0.04%. AstraZeneca led London's risers, gaining 4.5% to £33.46 after reporting second quarter net income of $2.11bn, beating expectations. Britain's second largest pharma company was aided by sales of Crestor for cholesterol and Seroquel for psychosis. It has announced a doubling of its share buyback program to $2bn, and raised its full year forecast. Meanwhile, BAE Systems was sent 2.7% higher to 325.7p after returning to profit...
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