Afternoon Markets: Dow and FTSE soar

The Dow Jones climbed strongly on opening today, following an impressive showing from the FTSE 100.

The US index was up 127 points (1.5%) to 8,485 early, with Intel Corp continuing to lead the pack on the back of its better than expected sales figures yesterday. The technology provider was up 5.83% to $17.81. Meanwhile credit card provider American Express stocks soared 5.56% to $25.82, as US Consumer Price Index figures indicated resurgent consumer spending. But despite inflation for June being 0.6%, the highest since last summer, consumer retail brands McDonalds and Wal Mart Stores were down marginally, 0.63% to $57.10 and 0.08% to $48.09 respectively. In London the FTSE 100 ha...