FTSE rose 6% in 2012 as global markets rallied

Lloyds Banking Group helped the FTSE 100 gain 6% over 2012 and reverse the losses of the previous year.

The five main global stock markets all made gains in 2012, as central banks took action to help drag the main economies out of recession. Despite a subdued end to the year on fiscal cliff jitters, the FTSE 100 ended 2012 at 5,897.8 points, up 325.5 over the period.  The blue-chip index closed the year with a seventh straight month of gains, adding 0.5% in December. This was the longest monthly winning streak since February 2005, according to the Times. Meanwhile, the FTSE 250 reported a record year, up more than 22%. Lloyds Banking Group was the best performing stock in the FT...