Morning Markets: FTSE advances on positive US jobs data

The FTSE 100 opened higher, up 0.47% or 25.67 points to 5,453.82, in response to Friday's better than expected US jobs data.

Consumer-related stocks were the biggest risers in early morning trading following the news from the US. Cable & Wireless Worldwide gained 3.02% to 75.15p, followed by InterContinental Hotels Group, advancing 1.51% to £10.78 and Home Retail Group, up 1.36% to 224.3p. Meanwhile, Old Mutual led the fallers, down 0.51% to 136.8p, while Smith & Nephew dropped 0.18% to 555p. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones ended Friday up 1.24% or 127.83 points to 10,447.93 as the monthly payrolls data boosted optimism the world's largest economy can avoid slipping back into recession. Private employer...