FTSE buoyed by two-year high on Wall Street

London's leading share index was boosted this morning by a two-year high on Wall Street, following robust earnings reports and positive economic data.

The FTSE 100 rose 0.15% to 6,094.40 in early trade, after US blue chips pushed the Dow Jones up 0.49% to 12,287.1. US markets were buoyed by positive company results from Dell, with the computer giant's fourth quarter earnings nearly tripling, sending shares up 12%. Predictions by the Federal Reserve growth could hit between 3.4% and 3.9% this year also boosted sentiment. In the UK, this morning's winners were African Barrick Gold, climbing 2.44%, Royal Bank of Scotland, up 2.35%, Essar Energy, up 1.43%, Eurasian Natural Resources, rising 1.19% and Reckitt Benckiser Group, up 1.16%. ...