FTSE hits nine-month high on positive German data

The FTSE 100 has reached its highest level since March following positive consumer data from Germany and signs of improving growth in China.

Germany's ZEW economic sentiment index jumped 6.9 points in December from -15.7 in November on the back of encouraging US economic data, entering positive territory for the first time since May. Miners were among the top gainers in the index as demand from China boosted the copper price. The blue chip index rose to 5,934 in mid-morning trading - the highest reading since 19 March when it reached 5,965 - before dropping to 5,929. European markets and Wall Street were also higher this afternoon, with the Dax up 0.64% to 7,578, the French Cac up 0.83% to 3,642. In the US, the Dow J...