FTSE jumps almost 2% on strong US data

The FTSE 100 has put on over 100 points in the first session of the quarter after US ISM manufacturing data beat forecasts and bolstered sentiment.

The Institute of Supply Managers' manufacturing index rose from 52.4 in February to 53.4 in March, ahead of expectations of a rise to 53, with the employment index rising to a nine-month high of 56.1. That sparked a sharp rise in the UK's leading share index, which had traded roughly flat on the day prior to the release of the US data at 3pm UK time. The FTSE closed at 5,875, a rise of 106 points, the 1.85% rise marking the highest percentage gain for two months. Publisher Pearson was the day's largest riser, up 4.8% at £12.21 following an upgrade from analysts at Natixis. Miners R...