Morning markets: M&A talk helps FTSE regain lost ground

The FTSE edged 0.4% higher to 5,574.98 points in early trading, recovering some of yesterday's 2.1% loss.

By 08.45 it was 24 points higher, although its rise was muted by ongoing concerns over Europe's debt problems. M&A talk in the technology sector helped push Invensys and ARM Holdings higher, by 1.3% and 0.7% respectively. Autonomy Corp, on the prowl for takeover targets, was also up, by 0.5% at £13.31. Gold's marginal rise yesterday helped push African Barrick Gold 1.5% higher to 510.5p. Among fallers, news British Airways cabin crew could strike early next year sent its shares down 0.3% to 260.4p. Others losing ground included Resolution, off 0.7% to 218p, while Schroders dr...