FTSE adds 0.6% with 6,000 in sight again

UK blue chips made a strong start on Tuesday despite weakness in the US overnight and a mixed performance in Asia.

London's leading index added more than 36 points, or 0.6%, in early trading to reach 5,992. British tech giant ARM Holdings gained 3.55% after announcing two new tie-ups yesterday, while Barclays added 3.4%. Marks and Spencer dropped 1.46% despite seeing group sales rise 4% in the final quarter of 2010, while Capital Shopping Centres lost almost 5% after US shopping mall giant Simon Property dropped its indicative bid for the company. Meanwhile, property giant British Land dropped 0.1% despite announcing it will purchase Marble Arch House in London's West End. The company is pay...