FTSE extends rally after US and Asia gains

The FTSE continued to feed off global optimism in early trading on Thursday, extending yesterday's 1.5% gain.

London's leading index advanced 0.24% to 5,761.22 following a strong overnight showing in the US and Asia. Vodafone gained 2.2% to 167.5p, while Sage Group, Aviva and Fresnillo all advanced. However, African Barrick Gold dropped more than 10%, to 561p, after cutting its 2010 production target following the revelation 40% of miners at its new Tanzania mine have been suspended for fuel theft. FTSE's early lead follows overnight gains in the US as Q3 earnings season kicked off on a high note. The Dow Jones closed 0.69% up at 11,096.08 after JPMorgan Chase announced quarterly profit...